Oscars to combat ratings decline with popular film category, shorter telecast and fewer live awards

The Hollywood Reporter

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' board of governors voted last night on a number of significant changes to the broadcast, including moving the 2020 Oscars from Feb. 23 to Feb. 9 -- one week after the Super Bowl. Next year's Academy Awards ceremony airs on Feb. 24. The Academy decided to make major changes four months after the lowest-rated Oscars telecast, which followed three years of declining ratings. To address concerns that the telecast has become boring, the board has "committed to producing an entertaining show in three hours." The board also announced "we will create a new category for outstanding achievement in popular film" to lure viewers who have seen the most popular movies of the year. Finally, the board said "to honor all 24 award categories, we will present select categories live, in the Dolby Theatre, during commercial breaks (categories to be determined). The winning moments will then be edited and aired later in the broadcast."