For more than two decades, the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood has been synonymous with one of the most watched nights in entertainment. That is about to change. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a 10-year agreement with AEG to move the Oscars to the Peacock Theatre at LA Live starting in 2029, with the deal running through 2039. The move carries particular weight because the Dolby Theatre was purpose-built to be the permanent home of the Oscars when it opened in 2002, making the departure a genuine turning point in the ceremony’s modern history. The Peacock Theatre’s 7,000-seat capacity is nearly double that of the Dolby, and its open-air plaza at LA Live offers considerably more room for the red carpet arrivals and pre-show spectacle that have become as iconic as the awards night itself.
The transition year also brings a second historic change. When the Oscars move to the Peacock in 2029, they will stream on YouTube for the very first time, marking the end of decades of exclusive television broadcast and opening the ceremony to a global audience in an entirely new way. AEG has pledged to upgrade several elements of the Peacock ahead of its debut as Oscars host, including the stage, lighting systems, lobby and backstage facilities. The Dolby Theatre will remain home to the ceremony through 2027 and 2028, giving both venues time to prepare for the handover. Over the years the Oscars have been held at a number of historic Los Angeles locations, including the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown and the Shrine Auditorium near USC, but the move to the Peacock marks the biggest transformation in the ceremony’s setup in more than 20 years and the start of a new era for Hollywood’s most celebrated night.
Source: https://laist.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/oscars-to-leave-hollywood-for-peacock-theatre-in-2029
