The Academy Awards to Depart ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.

The Oscars ceremony are set to start broadcasting solely on the global video platform in the year 2029, marking the most recent substantial change in Hollywood.

The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on this week, confirming that it entered into a multi-year deal granting the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars through 2033.

The Oscars, scheduled for 15 March, has aired for 50 years on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the ceremony will be accessible in real-time without charge on YouTube.

This is one more significant restructuring in the entertainment world, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, along with severe slashes to movie budgets.

"The Academy is an worldwide body, and this alliance will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible - which will be beneficial for our film artists and the cinematic world," said Academy leadership in a announcement.

For many years, audience numbers of the televised event have declined, although there was a small rise in 2025, with a notable portion of youthful audiences tuning in from smartphones and computers.

In a separate statement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "among our vital cultural touchstones" and added that working with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".

ABC, which has aired the awards since the mid-1970s, said that it was eagerly anticipating "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 viewed as unfavourable for an business that has seen drastic cuts over the past several years.

In common with major studios, cable networks have struggled as the audience has shifted towards on-demand video as an alternative.

YouTube winning the license to the Oscars further suggests that the dominance of digital platforms will carry on expanding.