The Academy Awards Will Leave Broadcast TV and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start streaming exclusively on the global video platform in 2029, marking the most recent substantial transformation in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on Wednesday, confirming that it finalized a long-term agreement awarding the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the show will be viewable live and for free on the digital platform.
This is a further significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is grappling with studio sales and mergers, along with drastic production cuts.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this alliance will allow us to broaden reach to the work of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be positive for our Academy members and the film community," stated organization heads in a release.
For many years, ratings of the awards show have fallen, although there was a minor increase in 2025, with a considerable amount of youthful audiences streaming from smartphones and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural institutions" and added that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a younger cohort of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".
The broadcast network, which has aired the awards since the mid-1970s, said that it was looking forward "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.
The move coincides with large entertainment companies confront complex corporate battles. Such proposals were viewed as problematic for an sector that has experienced severe reductions over the recent period.
Similar to big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the audience has shifted towards on-demand video instead.
YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on streaming sites will carry on to grow.
