Beginning in 2029 and for the first time since 1953, the Academy Awards won’t be a major televised event.

Instead, YouTube, owned by Google, will be the home to the annual Oscar ceremony until at least 2033. It’s an odd choice considering that streaming services can often be rivals for the same audience that attends theatrical performances.

A statement released Wednesday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences read, “The Oscars, including red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, Governors Ball access, and more, will be available live and for free to over 2 billion viewers around the world on YouTube, and to YouTube TV subscribers in the United States.”

The statement also said YouTube would make the Oscars accessible to a global audience through closed captioning and audio tracks in multiple languages. YouTube and Google outbid all other offers, including one from its current broadcast home, the ABC Network, a Disney subsidiary.

YouTube’s first show will be the 101st Oscars ceremony in 2029, ending a 76 year run on network television, and its deal will run through 2033. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said in a statement, “The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry. Partnering with the Academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment to viewers all over the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”

If the execs at ABC and Disney were upset, they hid it well, releasing a statement reading, “ABC has been the proud home to The Oscars for more than half a century. We look forward to the next three telecasts, including the show’s centennial celebration in 2028, and wish the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continued success,” an ABC Entertainment spokeswoman said.

The audience for the Academy Awards has been on the decline over the past few decades, although the 2025 telecast saw a ratings improvement over the 2024 awards show. ABC did stream the telecasts on Hulu, its associated platform.