The Academy Awards will no longer be on regular television after almost fifty years. From 2029 onwards, the Oscars will be available only on YouTube. Anyone in the world will be able to see the event for free when it is live. This is a change for the most glamorous night in Hollywood. It is quite indicative of the fact that people prefer to watch content online rather than via traditional TV.
A New Chapter
For decades, families have watched the Oscars on ABC on Sunday nights. That will end after 2028. Beginning in 2029, anyone who wants to see the show must go to YouTube. There will be no need for cable or satellite. Just an internet connection and a phone, tablet, computer or smart TV with access to YouTube.
The Academy called this move a step that will allow them to reach more viewers than ever before. They hope that with this, small-town fans, international fans, and younger viewers will feel part of the event. Currently, millions cannot view the event because they don’t have cable. With it going digital, it will be free and open to all.
It’s one of the most-visited websites in the world. Already, people go there to view music videos, parts of comedy sketches, and full movies. Now, it will also host one of the longest-running award shows in history. The leaders at the Academy believe this keeps the Oscars alive for future generations.
Why the Switch Is Happening
The Oscars have been losing viewership for years. Fewer people are signing up for cable. More are cutting the cord and using streaming services. Even when the show gets attention, much of it comes from online clips shared later, not from live broadcasts.
In 2025, viewership slightly increased. Much of that was young adults on phones and laptops. The message to the Academy couldn’t be clearer: the audience is going online, and to remain relevant, so must the show.
The CEO of YouTube, Neal Mohan, referred to the Oscars as a single unit of culture and creativity. Apart from that, he expressed that it is a delight to distribute such content to various audiences. Nevertheless, he promised that the most dignified and respectful element of the event would continue to be the same.
ABC said it is proud of the association that began back in 1976, although it will still air the next three ceremonies. After that, a chapter closes, but not before the network recognises the shift and the fact that the world of media is moving at a very rapid pace.
Part of a Larger Change in Hollywood
This isn’t just any single awards show. It speaks to a change much bigger throughout the entertainment world: studios are consolidating, movie budgets are tightening, and major networks are losing power to apps and websites.
On the very day the YouTube deal was announced, Warner Bros told its shareholders to reject a takeover bid from Paramount. Instead, it chose to back a plan with Netflix. Events like this underline the shift in control from traditional companies to tech-based platforms.
The Oscars on YouTube prove that the digital space is now trusted with major cultural moments. Digital has moved far beyond the home of viral video. It’s about live events that bring people together: awards, sports, concerts, and more. The movie industry wishes this move brings freshness to the ceremony. Maybe it would rekindle passion, bring in bigger international viewers, and make people see again that movies have always been important.
Anyway, the Oscar ceremony with its gold statues, the dresses, the speeches, and the music will go on like before. The enchantment of the evening is there. It’s just that the means of viewing are different. The good news, for millions of movie lovers, is simple. You won’t need a TV package. No fees. No login wall. Just go to YouTube on the right day. Sit back. And enjoy the show, wherever you are.
Read the most recent news, top news headlines now. Follow Inspirepreneur magazine for more
