The Academy Awards Will Leave Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on YouTube Beginning in 2029.

The Oscars ceremony will begin streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, signaling the most recent major transformation in the film industry.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on Wednesday, indicating that it entered into a extended contract granting the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars up to 2033.

The awards show, set for 15 March, has been broadcast for 50 years on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the event will be accessible as a free live stream on the digital platform.

This is another significant restructuring in Hollywood, which is dealing with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, coupled with drastic slashes to movie budgets.

"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this collaboration will permit us to broaden reach to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be positive for our film artists and the movie industry," stated Academy leadership in a release.

Throughout a long period, ratings of the ceremony have dropped, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers tuning in from smartphones and laptops.

In a separate statement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "among our essential cultural institutions" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "spark a new generation of innovation and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' storied history".

ABC, which has televised the awards since the mid-1970s, said that it was excited "to the next three telecasts" it will continue to air.

This shift comes as film industry giants deal with intricate takeover attempts. Such proposals were seen as unfavourable for an business that has experienced severe reductions over the recent period.

In common with major studios, traditional TV channels have struggled as the viewers has chosen digital platforms instead.

YouTube winning rights to the Academy Awards clearly signals that the dominance of digital platforms will persist to grow.