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The Oscars ceremony will commence streaming exclusively on the global video platform in the year 2029, marking the most recent significant change in Hollywood.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on this week, indicating that it finalized a long-term agreement granting YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars up to 2033.

The Oscars, set for March 15th, has aired for five decades on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the ceremony will be accessible live and for free on YouTube.

It's another substantial shakeup in Hollywood, which is grappling with studio sales and mergers, in addition to severe slashes to movie budgets.

"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this alliance will permit us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership possible - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the film community," stated the Academy's executives in a release.

For many years, ratings of the awards show have fallen, although there was a small rise in 2025, with a notable portion of younger viewers watching from mobile devices and desktops.

In a related comment, YouTube's CEO called the Oscars "a key essential pillars of culture" and noted that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a new generation of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious legacy".

ABC, which has televised the ceremony since 1976, commented that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will still host.

This shift comes as major studios confront complex corporate battles. Such proposals were seen as problematic for an industry that has experienced significant downsizing over the recent period.

Similar to major studios, traditional TV channels have struggled as the audience has chosen streaming services instead.

YouTube obtaining the license to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on streaming sites will persist increasing.