The Oscars Are Exiting ABC and Stream on YouTube Starting in 2029.

The Academy Awards will begin streaming exclusively on the global video platform in the year 2029, marking the latest major transformation in Hollywood.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on Wednesday, confirming that it signed a extended contract granting the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.

The awards show, set for March 15th, has been televised for five decades on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the event will be accessible in real-time without charge on YouTube.

It's a further major upheaval in the entertainment world, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, coupled with steep reductions in filming.

"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this alliance will permit us to increase availability to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible - which will be advantageous for our membership and the cinematic world," remarked organization heads in a statement.

For many years, ratings of the ceremony have dropped, even if there was a minor increase in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers streaming from mobile devices and desktops.

In a related comment, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "one of our fundamental pillars of culture" and said that working with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of creativity and film lovers while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated history".

ABC, which has televised the ceremony since the mid-1970s, commented that it was excited "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.

The move comes as film industry giants confront complex corporate battles. These potential deals were seen as problematic for an industry that has witnessed drastic cuts over the recent period.

Like major studios, traditional TV channels have struggled as the audience has increasingly opted for on-demand video instead.

YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Oscars strongly indicates that dependence on online services will carry on to grow.