By Vinod Ram 
In a move that would have been unthinkable just a decade ago, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that the 2029 Academy Awards will stream live on YouTube, marking a historic shift away from traditional television broadcasting.
The decision reflects a broader reality in global media: the TV era is ending, and digital platforms are now where mass audiences actually live.
How to Stream the 2029 Oscars on YouTube
For viewers, watching the Oscars will be simpler than ever. The ceremony will stream for free on YouTube through the Academy’s official channel, with availability across smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, and desktops.
Viewers can access the broadcast via:
- The official Oscars YouTube channel
- YouTube apps on smart TVs and streaming devices
- Mobile apps on iOS and Android
- Desktop browsers worldwide
Interactive features such as live chat, creator co-streams, behind-the-scenes clips, and real-time highlights are expected to accompany the main broadcast.
Why the Oscars Are Leaving Traditional TV
For decades, the Oscars relied on network television to reach mass audiences. But linear TV viewership has steadily declined, particularly among younger viewers, according to repeated trend reports from firms like Nielsen.
YouTube, by contrast, reaches over two billion logged-in users monthly and dominates long-form and live streaming globally. For the Academy, the move is about relevance, reach, and future-proofing the brand.
YouTube as the New Global Broadcast Network
YouTube is no longer just a video platform—it is effectively a global broadcast network. It already hosts live events ranging from political debates to major sports highlights and creator-led award shows.
By choosing YouTube, the Oscars gain:
- Global distribution without regional TV deals
- Younger and international audiences
- Real-time data, engagement, and analytics
- Built-in monetization through ads and sponsorships
This mirrors a wider shift in entertainment, where platforms like YouTube and other streaming services increasingly replace legacy broadcasters.
What This Means for Television Networks
The Oscars’ departure is symbolic. Award shows were once “appointment television”—events that could still draw massive live audiences. Their move to streaming underscores how little leverage traditional networks now have.
As advertising dollars follow attention, networks face shrinking audiences and rising costs, while platforms like YouTube offer scale without geographic limits.
The Bigger Picture: Entertainment After TV
The 2029 Oscars may be remembered less for who won Best Picture and more for what they represented. They mark a cultural handoff from television to platforms built for a digital-first world.
Hollywood is no longer just competing for ratings—it is competing for relevance in a creator-driven, on-demand media ecosystem.
The Academy Awards moving to YouTube is not just a distribution change. It is an acknowledgment that the future of live entertainment is interactive, global, and platform-native.
For viewers, it means easier access. For Hollywood, it means adaptation. And for television, it may signal the end of an era that defined entertainment for nearly a century.
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