The Oscars Will Leave Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on YouTube Beginning in 2029.

The Academy Awards are set to start airing only on the global video platform in 2029, marking the newest major shift in Hollywood.

The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on this week, stating that it signed a extended contract giving YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.

The awards show, which is planned for 15 March, has aired for a half a century on ABC. Starting in 2029, the show will be available live and for free on YouTube.

This is a further significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is dealing with company buyouts and fusions, along with steep production cuts.

"The Academy is an worldwide body, and this alliance will permit us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience attainable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the film community," said Academy leadership in a release.

For many years, audience numbers of the ceremony have fallen, although there was a minor increase in 2025, with a considerable amount of younger viewers tuning in from mobile devices and computers.

In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube described the Oscars "a key fundamental pillars of culture" and added that partnering with the Academy would "inspire a fresh wave of artistic expression and film lovers while adhering to the Oscars' illustrious legacy".

The broadcast network, which has televised the awards since 1976, said that it was looking forward "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.

This shift follows major studios deal with complex corporate battles. Both options were viewed as problematic for an sector that has witnessed significant downsizing over the past several years.

Similar to major studios, traditional TV channels have struggled as the public has increasingly opted for streaming services instead.

YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Oscars strongly indicates that the dominance of digital platforms will continue expanding.