Oscars set for major shake-up with move to streaming and new venue

Saturday 11 April 2026 - 13:30

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced significant changes to the future of the Oscars ceremony, marking a turning point in how the iconic film awards will be broadcast and staged.

The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 14, 2027, followed by the milestone 100th edition on March 5, 2028. Both ceremonies will continue to air on ABC, extending a decades-long partnership that dates back to the 1960s.

However, this collaboration will come to an end after the 2028 ceremony. Starting in 2029, the Oscars will shift to a fully digital format, with exclusive streaming on YouTube. The move reflects broader changes in audience behavior, as traditional television viewership continues to decline in favor of online platforms.

The transition also ends the event’s digital distribution ties with The Walt Disney Company and its streaming service Hulu.

Audience figures have been steadily decreasing over the past two decades. While the ceremony attracted tens of millions of viewers in the late 1990s, recent editions have drawn significantly smaller audiences, underscoring the urgency for change within the industry.

In addition to the broadcast shift, the Academy confirmed that the ceremony will relocate from the Dolby Theatre, its long-time home, to the Peacock Theater starting with the 101st edition in 2029. The new venue, located in downtown Los Angeles, offers a larger capacity and modern infrastructure.

This move is part of a long-term agreement with AEG, which manages the venue and surrounding complex. Academy leadership expressed confidence that the new location will enhance the global appeal of the ceremony while adapting to evolving audience expectations.

The changes signal a broader transformation in Hollywood, as the film industry continues to adjust to the digital era and shifting consumption habits.