Oscars Dropping Eight Categories From Live Show, Will Be Taped & Aired During Telecast

The Oscars are looking at a way to streamline the show in order to boost ratings and will drop eight categories from being presented during the live show. Deadline reports that David Rubin, the president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, sent a letter to nominees and members revealing that the eight categories will be taped during the hour before the show and then run the awards and speeches during the live telecast.

The categories cut from being presented include Documentary (Short Subject), Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Production Design, Short Film (Animated), Short Film (Live Action), and Sound. Rubin was sure to clarify that none of the 23 categories will be left off the show, either the nominees nor the acceptance speech by the winner.

The move is the latest attempt by AMPAS to streamline the show in the wake of sagging ratings. The Academy attempted to do a similar thing in 2019, but outcry and backlash forced them to roll that idea back. The idea to drop awards has been viewed as a slight to the technical categories in an attempt to appease their broadcast partner. The emphasis being this move is giving them the show the chance to do more entertaining segments for the viewing audience.

Deadline notes that the move is already generating backlash, with groups like the American Cinema Editors calling this a “red line” that has been crossed. Whether the backlash will force another rollback has yet to be made clear.

The 94th Academy Awards will air live on ABC on March 27th.