🔗 Share this article The Oscars to Depart ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in 2029. The Academy Awards will begin airing only on YouTube in the year 2029, signaling the newest substantial change in the film industry. The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on Wednesday, stating that it entered into a long-term agreement awarding YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars through 2033. The awards show, which is planned for March 15th, has aired for a half a century on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the show will be accessible as a free live stream on YouTube. This is a further significant restructuring in Hollywood, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with severe reductions in filming. "Our Academy represents an international organization, and this alliance will allow us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the biggest global viewership attainable - which will be beneficial for our membership and the cinematic world," stated Academy leadership in a release. Throughout a long period, ratings of the televised event have declined, even if there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers tuning in from cell phones and desktops. In a related comment, the head of YouTube called the Oscars "one of our vital cultural institutions" and noted that partnering with the Academy would "motivate a new generation of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' celebrated legacy". The broadcast network, which has televised the ceremony since the mid-1970s, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for. The move follows major studios face intricate takeover attempts. These potential deals were seen as problematic for an industry that has experienced significant downsizing over the last few years. Similar to major studios, cable networks have struggled as the public has increasingly opted for streaming services as an alternative. YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that the dominance of online services will carry on expanding.