The Oscars will be streamed live on YouTube from 2029 after being broadcast on the ABC network for decades.

It means the annual film awards will be available to the video-sharing platform’s two billion users for free around the world in four years.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the deal with Google-owned YouTube on Wednesday, saying the streaming giant will have the exclusive global rights to the Hollywood awards from 2029 to 2033.

YouTube will effectively be the home to all things Oscars, including red-carpet coverage, the Governors Awards and the Oscar nominations announcement.

The Academy Awards ceremony has been broadcast by ABC for most of its history, but 2028 will be its last year showing the Oscars as they celebrate their 100th anniversary.

“The Oscars, including red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, Governors Ball access, and more, will be available live and for free to over two billion viewers around the world on YouTube, and to YouTube TV subscribers in the United States,” an announcement on the Academy Awards’ website read.

“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,” said academy chief executive Bill Kramer and academy president Lynette Howell Taylor.

They said the new partnership with the platform “will allow us to expand access to the work of the academy to the largest worldwide audience possible”.

‘Inspiring new generation of creativity and film lovers’

“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honouring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” said YouTube chief executive Neal Mohan.

“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.”

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The awards will be available with audio tracks in many languages, in addition to closed captioning.

Last year’s Academy Awards were watched by 19.7 million viewers on the Disney-owned ABC, a five-year high but far below the show’s biggest audience of 57 million in 1998.

The network has been the broadcast home to the Oscars for almost its entire history. NBC first televised the Oscars in 1953, but ABC picked up the rights in 1961.

Aside from a period between 1971 and 1975, when NBC again aired the show, the Oscars have been on ABC.

The King has met survivors of last month’s Huntingdon train mass stabbing, during a special reception at Buckingham Palace.

He shook hands with train guard Samir Zitouni, who was seriously injured as he stepped in to protect passengers.

More than 10 people were hurt in the stabbing on the 6.25pm LNER service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross on 1 November, which diverted to Huntingdon.

The monarch also met Andrew Johnson, who previously served in the Royal Navy, and was driving the service at the time of the attack.

He was praised by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for his quick thinking when he moved the train on to a slow line.

That decision allowed it to stop at Huntingdon station, leading to a quicker response time by emergency services and potentially saving lives.

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Sky’s Rachael Venables breaks down how the stabbing unfolded.

Mr Zitouni was credited with saving multiple lives, but was left in a critical condition due to injuries he suffered in the attack.

Stephen Crean, a football fan who had been returning home after watching Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United, was also injured while fighting back to protect others during the incident.

Mr Crean said he would need plastic surgery following his injuries.

Amira Ostalski, a student who suddenly found herself in danger, said she ran into the buffet car where she picked up a metal tray to protect herself and her friend.

“I was honestly so petrified. I thought in that moment it was the last time I was ever going to be alive. I thought I was going to die,” she said.

Anthony Williams was charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of a bladed article following the train attack.

He remains in custody pending further court hearings scheduled for next year.