The Academy Awards are set to undergo the most significant change in decades. Starting in 2029, the Oscars will stream live worldwide on YouTube, ending nearly 50 years on US broadcast television and signaling a shift in how Hollywood delivers its biggest night to audiences.

ABC, which has aired the ceremony since 1976, will host its final Oscars in 2028. From the 101st ceremony onward, YouTube will be the exclusive live streaming platform for the event. The deal also includes official red carpet coverage and other Academy-produced programming. For the first time, the Oscars will no longer be tied to a traditional television network.

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The move comes as the industry faces declining live television audiences. While interest in movies remains strong, fewer viewers tune in for scheduled broadcasts. Clips of acceptance speeches, red carpet interviews, and unscripted moments now circulate widely online, often reaching far more viewers than the original live broadcast.

Streaming the Oscars on YouTube removes many barriers. There will be no subscription requirements, no cable packages, and no regional broadcast restrictions. Viewers will be able to watch the ceremony live on phones, tablets, and smart TVs, meeting audiences where they already spend much of their viewing time.

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For American audiences, the change alters a long-standing viewing habit. The Oscars have traditionally been shaped by television scheduling, commercial breaks, and a sense of appointment viewing. YouTube allows for a more flexible approach, with features like immediate sharing, multiple language options, and accessibility tools, making the ceremony feel more accessible and interactive.

The decision also reflects the Academy’s focus on reach. YouTube’s global audience numbers in the billions, with strong engagement among younger viewers who are less attached to traditional TV. For the Academy, the goal is clear: maximize visibility and connect with audiences where they already are.

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The shift raises questions about the ceremony itself. The Oscars were designed around the constraints of broadcast television, from tightly timed speeches to structured pacing. Streaming audiences may be less patient with long stretches of formality, putting pressure on the Academy to adapt the format to suit a digital-first environment.

Leaving broadcast TV behind is also symbolic. The Oscars have long represented Hollywood’s polished self-presentation delivered through a major network. Moving to YouTube acknowledges that authority in media now flows through audience attention, online sharing, and real-time conversation.

When the Oscars begin streaming live on YouTube in 2029, the change will be more than a convenience. It will mark a moment when one of entertainment’s most tradition-bound institutions fully embraces the platforms and viewing habits that define modern audiences.