Under the terms of a new deal struck between Walt Disney's ABC Networks and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, ABC will broadcast the Oscars through 2028. Not surprisingly 2028 will also mark the 100th anniversary of the Academy Awards, which you just know is going to involve all the pomp and circumstance available.

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Image via ABC

For ABC, this is all gravy. Though the audience for the awards has been inconsistent to say the least, it remains a major cultural event that fuels days worth of internet haranguing and, on occasion, bestows favor on good or great movies. Considering the dip in viewership last year, one might very well argue that a changing of the guard is overdue, that a move to NBC, Fox, or even CBS would be in order. Consistency, however, is important in these matters. Being able to return to ABC every year, to be able to count on that, is part of what helps save the viewership number from sliding even more downhill in some respects. So, though this deal might mean that there won't be a creative rethinking of the Oscars as a big show, it does mean that the show will go on with a dedicated base.

Here's what Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs had to say via Yahoo:


“We’re honored to continue our storied and successful partnership with ABC in broadcasting the most watched live entertainment event of the year...In 2028, we’ll mark the Oscars 100th anniversary, and ABC is the perfect partner to help us celebrate the magic of movies with our fans...On behalf of the Academy, I thank Jim Gianopulos, our Academy treasurer and chair of the board’s finance committee, and Disney/ABC’s Ben Sherwood, for leading these efforts.”

Here's what Academy CEO Dawn Hudson had to say about the Oscars deal:

“The Academy’s partnership with ABC has been one of the most enduring in Hollywood...Both the Academy and ABC set high bars for excellence, and ABC has a proven passion to help us deliver a great show to our global audience. We couldn’t think of a more trusted collaborator to further our mission of inspiring and connecting the world through film.”

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Image via ABC
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Image via ABC