The Oscars Is Prepared to Sell Its Soul for Better Ratings
The Academy has shown its willingness to diminish its stature as an institution that honors filmmaking in order to reach more viewers.
The first sign of the Oscars’ growing came last August, when the Academy announced a series of changes intended to keep the ceremony “relevant in a changing world.” A new prize would be established to recognize “outstanding achievement in popular film,” though the parameters went undefined. The ceremony, which airs on ABC, would stick to a three-hour run time (it usually lasts for about four). And several technical categories would be handed out during commercial breaks, to keep the pace lively for audiences at home. The outcry in response to the that plan. But other major changes meant to bolster viewership are still in place.
