The Oscars will cut categories from its live broadcast

The 94th Academy Awards will cut categories from its live broadcast this year. After low ratings have haunted the telecast for years, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that a number of its 23 categories will be presented before the show goes live. The winner’s acceptance speeches will then be worked into the live show.

After the Academy Awards had 9.23 million viewers last year, a 51% drop from a previous 18.69 million viewership, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is doing anything possible to increase their ratings again.

What you need to know about the 94th Academy Awards broadcast

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences employed similar efforts in 2018 but then abandoned them after backlash similar to what has arisen on social media. Being that the awards include honor work in the technical field, fans feel that this move is undermining the work of many individuals. The categories set to be removed from the live broadcast include the following categories: Documentary (Short Subject), Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Production Design, Short Film (Animated), Short Film (Live Action), and Sound.

Winners of these categories will still have their “Oscar moment” before the live broadcast begins being that the Dolby Theatre will host the nominees and their respective audience. Fans at home will still see the acceptance speeches aired during the broadcast. But will it feel the same for the nominees and winners of these categories?

After working so hard in your respective craft and getting to its pinnacle, having the moment not live up to the fullest potential it can have is disappointing.  Hopefully, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences finds a better solution to fix its ratings.

The Academy Awards air live on Sunday, March 27, 2022, on ABC at 8 ET. 

What do you think about the change? Will you still watch? Sound off below. We would love to hear from you!