The Academy Awards Are Exiting Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Beginning in 2029.

The Academy Awards will commence airing only on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the newest substantial change in Hollywood.

The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on this week, indicating that it entered into a long-term agreement giving the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.

The Oscars, scheduled for March 15th, has aired for a half a century on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the event will be accessible live and for free on the digital platform.

This is another major shakeup in Hollywood, which is dealing with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, coupled with steep slashes to movie budgets.

"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this collaboration will allow us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership possible - which will be advantageous for our membership and the cinematic world," remarked organization heads in a release.

Over decades, audience numbers of the ceremony have dropped, although there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from cell phones and computers.

In a related comment, YouTube's CEO described the Oscars "a key essential cultural touchstones" and noted that teaming up with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while staying true to the Oscars' celebrated legacy".

ABC, which has aired the ceremony since 1976, said that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.

This shift comes as major studios face challenging merger discussions. Such proposals were seen as unfavourable for an business that has seen drastic cuts over the last few years.

Like major studios, cable networks have faced issues as the viewers has chosen on-demand video instead.

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