Big changes are coming to the Oscars.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Academy announced that it would be making a few major changes for its 91st award ceremony in 2020.
The biggest change is the announcement of a new category, which is being designed around “achievement in popular film.” It is suspected that the purpose of this category will be to better include box office hits and blockbuster smashes which are unlikely to draw the same kind of critical acclaim as the movies nominated for “Best Picture.”
Details on eligibility for the new category have yet to be announced.
Change is coming to the #Oscars. Here's what you need to know:
– A new category is being designed around achievement in popular film.
– We've set an earlier airdate for 2020: mark your calendars for February 9.
– We're planning a more globally accessible, three-hour telecast. pic.twitter.com/oKTwjV1Qv9— The Academy (@TheAcademy) August 8, 2018
The Oscars has also announced that its planning an earlier date for 2020 — advising film fans to mark their calendars for February 9.
Lastly, the statement mentions plans for “a more globally accessible, three-hour telecast,” which would suggest that several minor categories are set to be cut from the live televised broadcast. Which is a huge bummer for those of us who used to tune in solely to see who’d win the award for Best Costume Design.
Some categories will be presented “during commercial breaks (categories to be determined). The winning moments will then be edited and aired later in the broadcast.”
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