The Oscars Are Exiting Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on YouTube Starting in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence broadcasting solely on YouTube in 2029, marking the newest major transformation in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on this week, indicating that it finalized a multi-year deal awarding the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The Oscars, set for March 15th, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the show will be accessible live and for free on the digital platform.
It's a further significant restructuring in the entertainment world, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, coupled with steep slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the activities of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible - which will be positive for our membership and the film community," remarked the Academy's executives in a announcement.
Over decades, audience numbers of the awards show have fallen, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of youthful audiences tuning in from smartphones and computers.
In a related comment, YouTube's CEO described the Oscars "among our vital cultural touchstones" and noted that teaming up with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of creativity and movie fans while adhering to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the ceremony since the mid-1970s, stated that it was looking forward "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.
This shift coincides with large entertainment companies deal with complex corporate battles. Such proposals were considered concerning for an sector that has experienced drastic cuts over the last few years.
Like big production houses, traditional TV channels have faced issues as the viewers has increasingly opted for digital platforms instead.
YouTube obtaining rights to the Oscars strongly indicates that dependence on online services will persist to grow.
