After the original announced plan to relegate four popular Oscar categories to be awarded during the televised commercial breaks, the decision has been formally reversed by the Academy on Friday evening after a tremendous backlash it received from its members. In a report from Variety, all 24 categories will be announced live during the televised broadcast, including across all available streaming services who are authorized to carry the video feed of the ceremony.
A formal statement was issued by the organization and posted on their website:
The Academy has heard the feedback from its membership regarding the Oscar presentation of four awards – Cinematography, Film Editing, Live Action Short, and Makeup and Hairstyling. All Academy Awards will be presented without edits, in our traditional format. We look forward to Oscar Sunday, February 24.
— Officers of the Board of Governors, The Academy.
These decisions made by the organization have all been with the intended goal to maintain a three hour long televised program; which has been the subject of jokes over the last several years. The original intention to move four of the categories over to a television commercial break, along with the still standing decision not to hire a replacement host after Kevin Hart chose to step down from the role last December, are all steps the organization has taken to cut down any excessive time in order to meet the goal of a three hour long program.
The live television broadcast of the 91st annual Academy Awards ceremony will air on all ABC affiliates in the United States on Sunday, February 24th at 8PM Eastern / 5PM Pacific.
