This Sunday will see the 96th Academy Awards air live from Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, in what producers hope is a star-studded event drawing ample viewership. In a major change, the 2024 Oscars ceremony will start an hour earlier than past years—7 pm EST, 4 pm PST—and run until 10:30 pm EST.
ABC made the schedule shift to wrap the often 3+ hour show before East Coast primetime ends. But some worry the new schedule, combined with Daylight Savings, could lead to confusion. “We’ve got to make sure no one’s late,” said producer Katy Mullan.
Nonetheless, ABC and the Academy have lined up major star power to drive interest. Jimmy Kimmel returns for his 4th stint hosting, persuaded by multiple-nominee “Barbie.” Presenters include Zendaya, Ariana Grande, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michelle Yeoh, Nicolas Cage, Al Pacino and many more. Performers like Billie Eilish, Jon Batiste and Becky G will also take the stage.
13-time nominee “Oppenheimer” tops a wide-ranging slate of Best Picture contenders, including German film “The Zone of Interest”, the French “Anatomy of a Fall”, and box office smash “Barbie.” John Williams also set an Oscar record with his 49th nomination.
While this year boasts diversity and star wattage, producers are still anxious about the schedule shift hampering viewership of the landmark 100th Oscars show. By courting A-list presenters and packing in musical acts however, they aim to keep audiences hooked—no matter the hour.
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