The Academy Awards to Depart Broadcast TV and Stream on YouTube Beginning in 2029.

The Academy Awards are set to start airing only on YouTube in the year 2029, representing the most recent substantial shift in the film industry.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on Wednesday, indicating that it signed a long-term agreement granting YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars through 2033.

The Oscars, set for 15 March, has aired for a half a century on ABC. Starting in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable in real-time without charge on the digital platform.

It's one more significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with steep slashes to movie budgets.

"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this partnership will permit us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd imaginable - which will be positive for our film artists and the cinematic world," said Academy leadership in a release.

Throughout a long period, ratings of the awards show have declined, although there was a minor increase in 2025, with a notable portion of youthful audiences tuning in from cell phones and laptops.

In a separate statement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "among our essential cultural institutions" and noted that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a fresh wave of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious history".

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

This shift coincides with major studios confront complex corporate battles. Both options were seen as unfavourable for an sector that has witnessed severe reductions over the past several years.

Similar to major studios, traditional TV channels have struggled as the audience has chosen streaming services instead.

YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Oscars strongly indicates that the dominance of streaming sites will persist to grow.