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The Academy Awards will commence streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, marking the newest major shift in the film industry.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on this week, indicating that it signed a multi-year deal granting the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.

The Oscars, scheduled for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on ABC. Starting in 2029, the show will be accessible live and for free on YouTube.

This is a further major upheaval in the entertainment world, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, coupled with severe slashes to movie budgets.

"The Academy is an global institution, and this collaboration will enable us to broaden reach to the mission of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible - which will be beneficial for our membership and the film community," stated organization heads in a release.

Over decades, viewership of the ceremony have fallen, though there was a minor increase in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers tuning in from cell phones and desktops.

In a related comment, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "among our vital cultural institutions" and added that partnering with the Academy would "motivate a new generation of creativity and movie fans while remaining faithful to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".

ABC, which has televised the awards since 1976, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.

This shift coincides with large entertainment companies face intricate takeover attempts. Both options were considered concerning for an business that has witnessed drastic cuts over the recent period.

Like major studios, cable networks have struggled as the viewers has chosen on-demand video as an alternative.

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