The Academy Awards to Depart ABC and Broadcast Live on YouTube Beginning in 2029.

The Academy Awards are set to start streaming exclusively on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the most recent significant transformation in Hollywood.

The organization behind the Oscars made the announcement on this week, confirming that it finalized a multi-year deal granting the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.

The awards show, scheduled for March 15th, has been broadcast for five decades on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the show will be viewable live and for free on the digital platform.

It's another significant restructuring in Hollywood, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, coupled with drastic production cuts.

"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this partnership will permit us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership attainable - which will be positive for our membership and the film community," stated organization heads in a statement.

For many years, viewership of the televised event have dropped, although there was a small rise in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences watching from mobile devices and computers.

In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural touchstones" and noted that teaming up with the Academy would "spark a fresh wave of innovation and film lovers while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated history".

ABC, which has aired the awards since the mid-1970s, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.

The move follows major studios confront intricate takeover attempts. These potential deals were seen as unfavourable for an business that has witnessed significant downsizing over the recent period.

In common with big production houses, cable networks have encountered challenges as the viewers has increasingly opted for digital platforms instead.

The platform securing rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on streaming sites will continue to grow.