The Oscars to be Broadcast Exclusively on YouTube Starting in 2029

The Oscars will be exclusively streamed on YouTube starting in 2029, as announced by the Academy on Wednesday. This move marks a shift from traditional television to online streaming, amid concerns from the American film industry regarding these platforms.

After decades of being broadcast on ABC, the ceremony for the most prestigious awards in cinema will be available only online under a five-year agreement disclosed on Wednesday.

The Academy aims to reach the "largest possible audience worldwide, which will benefit our members and the film industry," stated Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor in a press release.

Typically, the Oscars ceremony attracts around 20 million American viewers and millions more globally, down from about 40 million a decade ago.

ABC, owned by Disney, will continue to broadcast the ceremony until 2028 for the 100th edition of the Oscars.

By moving its ceremony to YouTube, owned by Google/Alphabet, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is opting for the streaming sector, which has been steadily capturing market share from television and cinemas over the years.

Streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon have managed to lure big-name filmmakers with substantial financial offers, despite the industry's strong attachment to the big screen.

In the realm of digital streaming, YouTube now leads in watch time, surpassing Netflix.

The agreement with the historic video platform will allow the Academy to leverage "the immense influence of YouTube," according to the Hollywood institution. The contract amount has not been disclosed, but sources cited by the Deadline website indicate that "the amount YouTube was willing to pay" was too significant for Disney to match.

"We wish the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences the best for the future," said a spokesperson for ABC.

Television viewership for the Oscars has declined in recent years, influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in viewing habits, particularly among younger audiences.

The most recent edition was watched by 19.69 million people, featuring a simultaneous broadcast on ABC, owned by Disney, and on Disney's streaming platform Hulu.