The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.

The Academy Awards will commence airing only on YouTube in 2029, signaling the latest substantial change in Hollywood.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on this week, stating that it signed a long-term agreement awarding YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars up to 2033.

The Oscars, scheduled for 15 March, has been broadcast for a half a century on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the ceremony will be accessible in real-time without charge on the digital platform.

This is one more significant restructuring in the entertainment world, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to severe reductions in filming.

"The Academy is an global institution, and this alliance will allow us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be beneficial for our membership and the movie industry," said the Academy's executives in a statement.

For many years, ratings of the televised event have dropped, although there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers watching from mobile devices and computers.

In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube called the Oscars "a key fundamental cultural touchstones" and said that working with the Academy would "inspire a new generation of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".

ABC, which has aired the ceremony since 1976, stated that it was excited "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.

This shift coincides with major studios deal with challenging merger discussions. Both options were seen as concerning for an industry that has witnessed drastic cuts over the last few years.

Similar to big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the audience has shifted towards streaming services instead.

The platform securing broadcasting rights to the Oscars clearly signals that the dominance of digital platforms will persist to grow.