The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, have announced a major change in how the world’s most famous film awards ceremony will be broadcast. For the first time in its long history, the Oscars will no longer be shown live on traditional television. Instead, the ceremony will be streamed live on YouTube.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body responsible for organising the awards. According to the Academy, the new arrangement will begin with the 101st Oscars ceremony in 2029 and will run until 2033.
This move will bring an end to more than five decades of television coverage of the Oscars on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), marking a historic shift in global entertainment broadcasting.
In a statement released by the Academy, the leadership explained that the decision was taken to reach a wider and more diverse global audience. The Academy noted that media consumption habits around the world have changed, with more people now watching content online rather than on traditional television.
The statement said the move reflects a global trend where audiences, especially younger viewers, prefer digital platforms that are easy to access on mobile phones, tablets, and smart TVs.
“The way people watch content has changed,” the Academy noted, adding that digital platforms now play a key role in how major global events are consumed.
Under the new arrangement, the Oscars ceremony will be streamed live and free on YouTube, allowing viewers from different parts of the world to watch without needing cable television or special subscriptions.
Reacting to the development, the Academy’s Chief Executive Officer, Bill Kramer, and its President, Lynette Howell Taylor, expressed excitement about the new partnership.
“We are thrilled to enter a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars and our year-round Academy programming,” they said.
They explained that beyond the annual awards ceremony, other Academy content, including interviews, behind-the-scenes features, and special programmes, will also be available on YouTube throughout the year.
According to them, the partnership will help the Academy connect better with film lovers, creatives, and younger audiences across the globe.
The Oscars have been broadcast on television in the United States since the early years of the awards. ABC has aired the ceremony since 1976, making it one of the longest-running partnerships in television history.
For many years, the Oscars was one of the biggest events on television, drawing tens of millions of viewers worldwide. Families gathered around television sets to watch movie stars walk the red carpet, deliver acceptance speeches, and celebrate cinema.
However, in recent years, television viewership of the Oscars has dropped significantly. Changes in viewing habits, the rise of streaming services, and declining interest in traditional TV have affected ratings.
The move by the Oscars reflects a wider change in the global entertainment industry. Many major events, including concerts, sports highlights, and award shows, now rely heavily on online platforms to reach viewers.
YouTube, owned by Google, is one of the largest video platforms in the world, with billions of users. It is widely accessible, even in countries where cable television is expensive or unavailable.
By choosing YouTube, the Academy is expected to reach audiences in Africa, Asia, and other regions where traditional TV coverage of the Oscars has been limited or inconsistent.
For Nigerian viewers, the change could make it easier to watch the ceremony live without relying on satellite TV or delayed broadcasts.
From 2029, viewers will be able to watch the Oscars live on YouTube for free. This means no cable subscription or special channel will be required.
The Academy has not yet released details on whether the ceremony will still be available on television in some countries or if local broadcasters will carry delayed versions.
However, the Academy confirmed that YouTube will be the main global home of the live broadcast during the partnership period.
The decision marks a major loss for ABC, which has aired the Oscars for nearly 50 years. While ABC has not yet released an official statement, the move is seen as another sign of the challenges facing traditional television networks.
Over the past decade, many TV networks have lost advertising revenue as companies shift spending to digital platforms. High-profile events like the Oscars have been among the few remaining attractions for live TV audiences.
With the Oscars leaving television, experts say networks may need to rethink their strategies and invest more in digital services to remain relevant.
The Academy Awards were first held in 1929 and have since become the most prestigious awards in the global film industry. The ceremony honours excellence in filmmaking, acting, directing, and technical achievements.
Winning an Oscar is considered a major career milestone for actors, directors, and filmmakers. The ceremony is also known for its fashion, political speeches, and cultural moments that often dominate global conversations.
Despite its influence, the Oscars has faced criticism in recent years over declining ratings, lack of diversity, and relevance to younger audiences.
The Academy has made several changes to address these concerns, including expanding its membership, introducing diversity standards, and experimenting with new formats.
The move to YouTube is seen as part of the Academy’s efforts to modernise the Oscars and keep it relevant in a fast-changing media world.
By embracing digital platforms, the Academy hopes to attract younger viewers who are more likely to watch content online than on traditional TV.
Film industry watchers say the success of the move will depend on how well the Academy adapts the ceremony to digital audiences while maintaining the prestige of the awards.
The Oscars will continue to air on television until 2028 under the current agreement with ABC. The 101st ceremony in 2029 will mark the beginning of the YouTube era.
In the coming years, the Academy is expected to release more details about how the YouTube broadcast will work, including language options, regional access, and interactive features.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, the Oscars’ move from television to YouTube signals a clear shift toward the future of digital broadcasting.
For millions of film lovers around the world, it marks the end of one era and the beginning of another in how the world watches Hollywood’s biggest night.
