The Academy Awards to Depart Broadcast TV and Stream on YouTube Beginning in the Year 2029.

The Academy Awards are set to start broadcasting solely on YouTube in 2029, signaling the latest significant change in the film industry.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on Wednesday, indicating that it signed a long-term agreement granting the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.

The Oscars, scheduled for 15 March, has been broadcast for a half a century on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the show will be viewable as a free live stream on the digital platform.

This is another substantial upheaval in Hollywood, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, along with drastic production cuts.

"Our Academy represents an global institution, and this alliance will permit us to broaden reach to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the cinematic world," remarked the Academy's executives in a announcement.

Throughout a long period, ratings of the awards show have dropped, even if there was a small rise in 2025, with a significant number of Gen Z and millennial watchers streaming from smartphones and desktops.

In a separate statement, the head of YouTube referred to the Oscars "a key essential cultural institutions" and noted that working with the Academy would "inspire a younger cohort of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' storied legacy".

The broadcast network, which has streamed the ceremony since the mid-1970s, stated that it was eagerly anticipating "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for.

This shift follows major studios face intricate takeover attempts. These potential deals were viewed as unfavourable for an business that has experienced drastic cuts over the recent period.

Like major studios, cable networks have encountered challenges as the audience has shifted towards digital platforms instead.

YouTube obtaining rights to the Oscars clearly signals that reliance on online services will persist to grow.