The Oscars Cut Eight Categories from Live Telecast in an Attempt to Improve Ratings

It was announced today that eight of the 23 Oscar categories will not be presented live on the March 27 broadcast. Instead, the winners of those categories will be announced in a taped pre-show, then shown to the viewers at home at random points in the broadcast. 

The categories that will be cut from the live telecast are Documentary (short subject), Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Production Design, Short Film (Animated), Short Film (Live Action), and Sound. 

Categories that will still be presented live are Actor in a Leading Role, Actor in a Supporting Role, Actress in a Leading Role, Actress in a Supporting Role, Animated Feature Film, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Documentary (Feature), International Feature Film, Music (Original Song), Visual Effects, Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Writing (Original Screenplay), and Best Picture.

Deadline reports that a letter just went out from AMPAS President David Rubin to nominees and members of the Academy to explain these changes, but the reason is obvious to everyone. This was another attempt to broaden the audience for the show. 

Sources at the Academy indicate the decision came after ABC suggested that increasing and maintaining viewer engagement was vital to the award show’s success. The emphasis was this is a live show that needs to constantly create interest. Many fan favorites were “snubbed” this Oscar season. Dunedirector Denis Villeneuve didn't make the list for Best Director, and the popular films from the past year such as Spider-Man: No Way Home and No Time to Die were largely ignored by the Academy. 

Instead of including popular films in their respective categories to increase viewership, AMPAS decided to let moviegoers vote for a fan favorite award that has quickly been taken over by internet trolls. Unfortunately, reimagining an award show as big as the Oscars a month before it takes place is almost impossible, but the Academy will attempt to tape the select categories, edit them, and then try to roll them in seamlessly into the show.

This year’s show will be an interesting one that tries to cater to a mainstream audience that may not even be watching. What will happen in the end?  

Let us know in the comments your thoughts on the Academy cutting eight major categories from its live show.

Source: Deadline