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The Oscars ceremony are set to start streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, marking the latest major change in the film industry.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on this week, indicating that it signed a multi-year deal granting YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars through 2033.

The Oscars, set for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on ABC. Starting in 2029, the event will be accessible in real-time without charge on the digital platform.

This is a further major shakeup in Hollywood, which is navigating studio sales and mergers, coupled with drastic production cuts.

"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this collaboration will allow us to broaden reach to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the film community," stated Academy leadership in a release.

Throughout a long period, ratings of the ceremony have declined, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a notable portion of youthful audiences watching from mobile devices and laptops.

In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "a key vital pillars of culture" and said that partnering with the Academy would "spark a fresh wave of artistic expression and movie fans while adhering to the Oscars' storied legacy".

ABC, which has streamed the awards since 1976, stated that it was excited "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will retain rights for.

The move follows film industry giants confront complex corporate battles. Such proposals were viewed as unfavourable for an industry that has witnessed significant downsizing over the past several years.

Similar to major studios, traditional TV channels have struggled as the public has chosen on-demand video instead.

YouTube winning rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that dependence on online services will continue increasing.