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Ah, the conclusion of Oscar season. Anticipation and mystery build as Hollywood’s most glamorous evening approaches. However, even the most ardent awards enthusiasts admit that the season is dragging on longer than expected. Despite all its efforts to achieve grandeur, the broadcast faces declining viewership and criticism for being out of touch. If the venerable institution is to remain relevant, a strategic review is crucial for its rejuvenation.
Here is a plan to inject new vigor into the golden ceremony. The goal is simple: dream big and then dream even bigger.
Move to February
The Oscar marathon could use a sprint. Amid an excess of awards ceremonies, the second half of the season drags on. As one seasoned publicist told Variety: “The timing of the Oscars is just a question. The incessant number of ceremonies, each one waiting for the presence of talent, with the same speeches, wastes time, resources and patience. By Oscar night, the sense of mystery disappears.”
Setting the date earlier could rekindle the magic, ensuring that the Oscars are the pinnacle of the season and not its grueling conclusion. Don’t worry about the Super Bowl or the upcoming Winter Olympics. Just put on a good show.
Simultaneous transmission in broadcast and streaming
As content distribution evolves, streaming services and movie theaters are finding ways to coexist. The Oscars and their partner ABC need to adapt. With a contract that runs through 2028, exploring a simulcast option is essential to the longevity of the ceremony. Imagine combining ABC’s reach with Hulu’s 55 million subscribers and Disney+’s 155 million. Simulcasting would not only attract a global audience but also create the image of the Oscars as an accessible and must-see event. And yes, there are still plenty of opportunities for advertising.
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Add new, more inclusive categories
The excitement over the arrival of the best casting category in 2026 is palpable, but there is potential for further expansion. Categories for stunts and voice acting/motion capture would give recognition to animation and films like “Planet of the Apes.” And the documentary sector is experiencing a golden age. That requires a broader nomination process and larger spaces in the categories to accommodate the significant increase in submissions.
As for international feature films, it is time to honor their directors. This year, for example, the UK’s Hot Spot award was awarded, but director Jonathan Glazer was not officially recognized. Additionally, adjusting nomination eligibility in all categories would correct long-standing oversights (“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” was nominated for animated feature, but one of its directors, Joaquim Dos Santos, was not among the nominees. due to an arbitrary rule limiting the number of nominees) and celebrate a more diverse range of achievements.
Streamline the show
The 2022 proposal to remove eight categories from television broadcast met with open opposition. But it is worth noting that not all EGOT groups present all awards during the main ceremony. The pre-broadcast events, with some speeches inserted into the program itself, are a model worth considering. And die-hard moviegoers can have the option of watching the full version live or afterwards.
Let’s be clear: for a passionate fan like me, a captivating ceremony can last as long as you want. However, the average viewer prefers a more concise program. As it is, with 23 categories and five musical performances, fitting everything into three hours is a challenge.
This brings us to a delicate topic: short film categories. While these are crucial for emerging filmmakers, they serve two main purposes for inexperienced viewers: winning over office groups and signaling bathroom breaks. Since these films are not widely available to watch before or after the show, perhaps they would be better shown during the Governors Awards or at a new Creative Arts-style ceremony developed by ABC.
Closing out the season, check out Variety Blind predictions from the Awards Circuit for next year.