The Academy Awards Are Exiting ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony are set to start streaming exclusively on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the most recent 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 exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for March 15th, has been broadcast for a half a century on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the ceremony will be available in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
It's a further significant restructuring in Hollywood, which is grappling with studio sales and mergers, in addition to severe slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this alliance will allow us to broaden reach to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be positive for our Academy members and the film community," stated organization heads in a release.
Over decades, viewership of the ceremony have declined, though there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers watching from mobile devices and computers.
In a separate statement, the head of YouTube referred to the Oscars "a key essential pillars of culture" and said that partnering with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of innovation and movie fans while staying true to the Oscars' celebrated history".
ABC, which has streamed the ceremony since the mid-1970s, said that it was excited "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will retain rights for.
This decision follows large entertainment companies deal with complex corporate battles. Such proposals were seen as unfavourable for an sector that has experienced severe reductions over the past several years.
Similar to major studios, cable networks have struggled as the viewers has shifted towards on-demand video instead.
YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Oscars further suggests that the dominance of online services will carry on to grow.
