Hollywood's premier awards event is preparing to appear alongside popular online creators like MrBeast through live streaming.
The Academy Awards ceremony, featuring the red carpet arrivals and presentations of golden trophies to film industry stars, will transition to YouTube as its platform beginning in 2029.
On Wednesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed this major shift, which is likely to provoke strong reactions from the struggling film sector.
Starting in 2029, the Oscars will stream exclusively on YouTube under a four-year agreement extending to 2033. This free access will cover the main ceremony, the Governors Awards, nominee announcements, and additional related content.
For over seven decades, the Academy Awards have been broadcast on traditional television networks, alternating between NBC and ABC, despite a notable drop in viewership over the last ten years; the event remains a symbol of high prestige.
The decision to relocate the ceremony to YouTube places it amid user-generated short-form videos and shows like Hot Ones, marking a significant departure from established norms.
This announcement follows closely on the heels of Netflix's recent deal to acquire Warner Bros., the studio responsible for iconic films and series such as Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, All the President's Men, Goodfellas, the Harry Potter franchise, Game of Thrones, and the Police Academy series.
Should regulators greenlight the Netflix-Warner Bros. merger—which remains uncertain—these developments could signal major challenges for the film business, with the Oscars' change carrying more emblematic weight than practical impact.
In reality, portions of the Oscars have already migrated to YouTube through widely shared clips; many viewers encountered moments like the infamous onstage slap, Ellen DeGeneres' group selfie, and Jennifer Lawrence's stumble en route to the stage via the platform rather than live TV.
Upon reflection, the full transition of the Academy Awards to YouTube aligns with existing trends and may even seem appropriate.