In a significant shift reflecting the evolving landscape of entertainment consumption, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has declared that the prestigious Academy Awards will transition from traditional network television to streaming on YouTube starting in 2029.
This move marks a departure from the Oscars' long-standing broadcast on ABC, which will continue until the centennial celebration of the awards in 2028.
According to Gateway Pundit, the Oscars have experienced a persistent decline in viewership, a trend that has been evident for several years. Many attribute this downturn to the public's growing disinterest in being subjected to political lectures from affluent Hollywood elites who appear disconnected from everyday American values.
The ratings for this once-essential television event have plummeted to record lows in recent years, notably in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
The Associated Press reports that YouTube will secure global streaming rights for the Oscars from 2029 through 2033, encompassing all aspects of the event, including red-carpet coverage, the Governors Awards, and the Oscar nominations announcement.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars and our year-round Academy programming." They emphasized that this collaboration would broaden access to the Academy's work, benefiting both Academy members and the global film community.
Over time, the Oscars have increasingly become a platform for celebrities to showcase their progressive ideologies and criticize President Donald Trump and his supporters. The introduction of new diversity criteria for the "Best Picture" category, requiring films to meet specific diversity benchmarks, further underscores this trend.
Jamie Lee Curtis, fresh from her Best Supporting Actress win for "Everything Everywhere All at Once," highlighted this shift by announcing her Oscar statue's they/them pronouns in support of her transgender daughter, Ruby. Additionally, co-director Daniel Scheinert's acceptance speech, where he thanked his parents for allowing him to dress in drag as a child, was met with enthusiastic applause.
In 2024, host Jimmy Kimmel delivered a tirade fueled by what some describe as Trump Derangement Syndrome, further illustrating the Oscars' transformation into a platform for political expression. As the awards ceremony prepares to embrace the digital age, it remains to be seen how this transition will impact its relevance and viewership in the years to come.
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