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The Academy Awards are set to start airing only on YouTube in 2029, signaling the latest significant shift in Hollywood.

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

The Oscars, set for 15 March, has aired for five decades on ABC. Beginning in 2029, the event will be viewable in real-time without charge on the digital platform.

It's another significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, coupled with severe reductions in filming.

"The Academy is an international organization, and this alliance will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the movie industry," said organization heads in a release.

Throughout a long period, viewership of the awards show have fallen, even if there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers streaming from cell phones and desktops.

In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube called the Oscars "a key fundamental cultural touchstones" and noted that working with the Academy would "motivate a new generation of creativity and movie fans while remaining faithful to the Oscars' celebrated legacy".

ABC, which has televised the awards since the mid-1970s, stated that it was eagerly anticipating "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for.

This shift follows large entertainment companies face intricate takeover attempts. Both options were considered problematic for an industry that has witnessed drastic cuts over the recent period.

Like major studios, cable networks have struggled as the public has increasingly opted for digital platforms instead.

YouTube winning rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that the dominance of online services will persist increasing.