Oscars to Leave Hollywood for Downtown Los Angeles in Historic 2029 Strategic Shift

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday that the Oscars will leave the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood after 2028, moving to the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles starting with the 101st ceremony in 2029. The Academy signed a 10-year partnership with AEG to host the awards at the Peacock Theater through 2039. The move coincides with a separate shift in broadcasting: from 2029, the ceremony will no longer air on ABC but will instead stream live and free on YouTube, accessible to viewers worldwide. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor described the partnership as a step toward reimagining the world's most prominent film awards night. The 100th Academy Awards in 2028 will remain at the Dolby Theatre, marking a symbolic final chapter before the transition. „For the 101st Oscars and beyond, the Academy looks forward to closely collaborating with AEG to make LA LIVE the perfect backdrop for our global celebration of cinema, both for our live in-theater audience and for film fans around the world.” — Bill Kramer and Lynette Howell Taylor via AFP

AEG to overhaul Peacock Theater before 2029 debut As part of the agreement, AEG has committed to a complete modernization of the Peacock Theater before the Oscars take up residence there. The renovation will include upgrades to the stage, sound and lighting systems, backstage areas, lobbies, and other essential production spaces. AEG will also work closely with the Academy to incorporate custom design elements tailored specifically to the needs of the ceremony. The recently expanded plaza at L.A. LIVE will serve as the designated space for the red carpet and surrounding festivities. The Peacock Theater offers a larger seating capacity than the Dolby Theatre, with the complex providing a campus-style layout that consolidates the red carpet, press areas, technical rooms, dressing rooms, and after-parties within a single perimeter. „LA Live was built to host culture-defining moments and there is no greater global stage than the Oscars. We are proud to collaborate with the Academy.” — Todd Goldstein via AFP The Academy had long sought greater control over the staging of the show, including seating arrangements, press space distribution, and technical production flexibility.

Hollywood loses its most famous annual night The Dolby Theatre has served as the permanent home of the Oscars since 2002, situated on Hollywood Boulevard near the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The move represents a geographic and symbolic departure from the neighborhood most associated with the global film industry. However, the shift is not entirely without precedent: the Oscars were previously held in downtown Los Angeles venues such as the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Shrine Auditorium, and for much of the 1960s the ceremony took place in the beachside city of Santa Monica. The very first Academy Awards ceremony was held in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, just steps from the Dolby Theatre. ABC has broadcast the ceremony since 1976, making the upcoming departure from network television an equally significant break with tradition. The Academy has acknowledged that its audience has struggled to return to pre-pandemic levels, and the dual shift in venue and broadcast platform reflects an effort to attract a younger, global viewership.

The Oscars ceremony dates to 1929, when the first edition was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. The Dolby Theatre, originally opened as the Kodak Theatre, became the ceremony's permanent home in 2002. The Peacock Theater, formerly known as Nokia Theatre and later Microsoft Theater, opened in 2007 and has since hosted major events including the Primetime Emmy Awards, the BET Awards, the American Music Awards, and the MTV Video Music Awards. ABC has broadcast the Oscars since 1976. The most recent ceremony, held on March 15, 2026, saw Paul Thomas Anderson's film "One Battle After Another" win Best Picture.

YouTube deal marks end of decades-long ABC partnership The Academy had already announced in December 2025 that the ceremony would move to YouTube starting in 2029, ending a partnership with ABC that stretched back to 1976. The YouTube broadcast is described as free and global, with the Academy citing a desire to reach a younger international audience and redefine the viewing experience. According to one source, the YouTube partnership with the Academy is set to run from 2029 through 2033. The physical relocation and the broadcasting transition will take effect simultaneously, framing 2029 as a comprehensive relaunch of the Oscars brand. Bill Kramer and Lynette Howell Taylor expressed enthusiasm for the AEG partnership, citing the company's track record in operating technologically advanced venues. „We are thrilled to collaborate with a global force like AEG. Their track record in building and operating technologically sophisticated venues for live performances is unmatched.” — Bill Kramer and Lynette Howell Taylor via HotNews.ro

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