The Oscars to Depart Broadcast TV and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in 2029.

The Academy Awards are set to start broadcasting solely on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the most recent substantial change in the film industry.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on this week, indicating that it entered into a extended contract granting the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars through 2033.

The awards show, scheduled for March 15th, has been televised for a half a century on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the show will be viewable in real-time without charge on the digital platform.

It's a further significant restructuring in Hollywood, which is dealing with studio sales and mergers, along with steep reductions in filming.

"The Academy is an international organization, and this alliance will allow us to broaden reach to the work of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be positive for our film artists and the movie industry," remarked the Academy's executives in a statement.

Throughout a long period, ratings of the awards show have fallen, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences tuning in from mobile devices and laptops.

In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "one of our vital cultural touchstones" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' storied heritage".

ABC, which has televised the ceremony since 1976, said that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will retain rights for.

The move coincides with film industry giants confront challenging merger discussions. These potential deals were seen as unfavourable for an business that has experienced severe reductions over the last few years.

Similar to major studios, cable networks have encountered challenges as the public has increasingly opted for digital platforms instead.

YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that dependence on online services will persist increasing.