🔗 Share this article The Oscars to Depart Broadcast TV and Stream on YouTube Beginning in 2029. The Academy Awards will begin broadcasting solely on YouTube in the year 2029, representing the newest substantial change in Hollywood. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on this week, stating that it finalized a long-term agreement giving YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033. The Oscars, set for 15 March, has aired for five decades on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the show will be available live and for free on the digital platform. This is a further significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to severe reductions in filming. "Our Academy represents an international organization, and this partnership will enable us to broaden reach to the work of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the film community," stated organization heads in a announcement. For many years, audience numbers of the awards show have fallen, although there was a slight uptick in recent years, with a considerable amount of younger viewers streaming from smartphones and laptops. In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO described the Oscars "a key vital cultural touchstones" and added that working with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of creativity and film lovers while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated heritage". ABC, which has televised the awards since 1976, said that it was excited "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will retain rights for. This decision comes as major studios confront challenging merger discussions. These potential deals were viewed as unfavourable for an sector that has witnessed severe reductions over the past several years. In common with major studios, traditional TV channels have faced issues as the audience has increasingly opted for streaming services instead. The platform securing rights to the Oscars clearly signals that reliance on digital platforms will carry on expanding.