The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will commence airing only on the global video platform in the year 2029, marking the newest significant shift in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on this week, stating that it signed a extended contract awarding the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for 15 March, has been broadcast for five decades on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the event will be available live and for free on the digital platform.
This is one more substantial restructuring in Hollywood, which is dealing with company buyouts and fusions, along with drastic production cuts.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this alliance will enable us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the film community," said Academy leadership in a announcement.
Throughout a long period, viewership of the ceremony have dropped, even if there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences tuning in from smartphones and computers.
In a separate statement, the video platform's chief executive described the Oscars "one of our fundamental cultural touchstones" and noted that working with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of innovation and film lovers while remaining faithful to the Oscars' celebrated legacy".
ABC, which has aired the awards since the mid-1970s, stated that it was eagerly anticipating "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.
The move coincides with film industry giants confront intricate takeover attempts. Both options were seen as problematic for an industry that has experienced significant downsizing over the recent period.
In common with big production houses, cable networks have struggled as the viewers has chosen streaming services instead.
YouTube obtaining rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that reliance on digital platforms will persist to grow.
