Academy’s new Oscar category aimed to boost ratings gets backlash instead
Many people agreed that a shorter ceremony would be best for attracting more viewers, but creating a ‘most popular’ film award received a deluge of criticism.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is trying to boost viewer numbers—even if it means making filmmakers and fans angry.
On Wednesday, the organization announced a few changes for its 2019 ceremony:
Change is coming to the #Oscars. Here’s what you need to know:
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) August 8, 2018
The moves are the Academy’s effort to appease Disney-ABC, which has been pushing for changes that will increase viewership—especially as the 2018 Academy Awards ceremony received its lowest ratings yet.
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