The Academy Awards Will Leave ABC and Stream on YouTube Beginning in 2029.

The Oscars ceremony are set to start airing only on the global video platform in 2029, representing the latest major transformation in the film industry.

The organization behind the Oscars made the announcement on Wednesday, 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 aired for 50 years on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the event will be viewable live and for free on the digital platform.

It's a further significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is dealing with company buyouts and fusions, in addition to severe reductions in filming.

"The Academy is an global institution, and this alliance will permit us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership possible - which will be positive for our film artists and the cinematic world," remarked the Academy's executives in a release.

Over decades, audience numbers of the ceremony have fallen, even if there was a small rise in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from cell phones and desktops.

In a related comment, YouTube's CEO described the Oscars "one of our vital cultural institutions" and added that working with the Academy would "spark a new generation of creativity and film lovers while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated heritage".

The broadcast network, which has streamed the ceremony since the mid-1970s, commented that it was eagerly anticipating "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.

The move follows film industry giants face complex corporate battles. Both options were viewed as unfavourable for an industry that has experienced drastic cuts over the past several years.

In common with big production houses, traditional TV channels have faced issues as the audience has increasingly opted for streaming services instead.

YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards clearly signals that reliance on online services will persist to grow.