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The Oscars ceremony will begin streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, marking the latest significant change in Hollywood.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on Wednesday, indicating that it entered into a long-term agreement granting YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.

The Oscars, which is planned for 15 March, has aired for five decades on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the show will be available live and for free on YouTube.

It's one more major shakeup in Hollywood, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, in addition to severe reductions in filming.

"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this collaboration will enable us to broaden reach to the activities of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be positive for our membership and the movie industry," stated organization heads in a statement.

Throughout a long period, ratings of the awards show have declined, though there was a minor increase in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from mobile devices and desktops.

In a related comment, the head of YouTube described the Oscars "one of our vital pillars of culture" and noted that working with the Academy would "spark a fresh wave of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated heritage".

ABC, which has streamed the ceremony since the mid-1970s, said that it was excited "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.

The move follows large entertainment companies deal with complex corporate battles. Both options were viewed as problematic for an industry that has experienced significant downsizing over the recent period.

In common with major studios, cable networks have struggled as the viewers has chosen streaming services as an alternative.

The platform securing rights to the Oscars strongly indicates that dependence on streaming sites will carry on expanding.