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

The Academy Awards will begin airing only on YouTube in the year 2029, signaling the latest major change in the film industry.

The organization behind the Oscars made the announcement on this week, confirming that it finalized a long-term agreement giving the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars up to 2033.

The awards show, scheduled for 15 March, has aired for 50 years on ABC. Beginning in 2029, the ceremony will be available as a free live stream on the digital platform.

It's a further major upheaval in the entertainment world, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, coupled with steep production cuts.

"The Academy is an worldwide body, and this collaboration will allow us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the cinematic world," said Academy leadership in a statement.

Throughout a long period, viewership of the ceremony have dropped, even if there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of youthful audiences watching from cell phones and desktops.

In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube referred to the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural institutions" and noted that partnering with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of creativity and film lovers while remaining faithful to the Oscars' celebrated legacy".

The broadcast network, which has televised the awards since the mid-1970s, stated that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for.

The move coincides with film industry giants deal with complex corporate battles. Such proposals were viewed as problematic for an industry that has witnessed drastic cuts over the last few years.

Similar to major studios, cable networks have encountered challenges as the public has shifted towards streaming services instead.

YouTube winning rights to the Academy Awards clearly signals that dependence on online services will persist to grow.