The Academy Awards Will Leave ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence streaming exclusively on the global video platform in the year 2029, representing the newest substantial shift in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on this week, stating that it finalized a multi-year deal granting the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, set for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the show will be available live and for free on the digital platform.
This is a further significant upheaval in Hollywood, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, in addition to severe slashes to movie budgets.
"The Academy is an worldwide body, and this alliance will enable us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be positive for our film artists and the cinematic world," said the Academy's executives in a release.
Over decades, viewership of the awards show have declined, although there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences tuning in from cell phones and desktops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "a key vital cultural institutions" and said that working with the Academy would "inspire a new generation of creativity and cinema enthusiasts while adhering to the Oscars' storied legacy".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the awards since 1976, commented that it was excited "to the next three telecasts" it will continue to air.
This shift comes as film industry giants deal with challenging merger discussions. Both options were seen as problematic for an industry that has experienced significant downsizing over the last few years.
Like major studios, traditional TV channels have struggled as the audience has increasingly opted for on-demand video instead.
The platform securing rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that reliance on digital platforms will persist increasing.
