UK viewers and film enthusiasts will be excited to find out that ITV has struck an exclusive deal to broadcast the prestigious Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, in the United Kingdom. This exciting development comes as the most acclaimed films of the year gear up for their campaigns to charm voters and make their mark on cinema history.
Last year, the Oscars ceremony found its home on Sky and the NOW streaming service, with the mind-bending multiverse comedy-drama “Everything Everywhere All at Once” emerging as the night’s standout victor. However, this year, ITV has stepped in to bring the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s most celebrated night directly to the homes of UK audiences.
The upcoming Academy Awards are already generating immense excitement, with a lineup of potential cinematic gems, including Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon”, Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Poor Things”, and the highly anticipated box office hits “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”.
Film aficionados who wish to witness the Oscars unfold live need only mark their calendars for Sunday, March 10, 2024. The broadcast will be available on ITV1 and the online streaming platform ITVX.
Darren Nartey, Senior Acquisitions Manager for ITV and ITVX, expressed the network’s enthusiasm for securing this exclusive deal: “We are thrilled to be able to exclusively bring the Oscars to film fans all across the UK, furthering and complementing our commitment to films across our network. We already have a fantastic collection of over 250 feature films available on ITVX at any one time and are looking forward to sharing the movie-event of the year with our viewers.”
ITVX, which launched late last year, represents an ambitious reinvention of its predecessor, ITV Hub. The platform boasts a diverse slate of original programming, including offerings like “Nolly”, “The Confessions of Frannie Langton”, and “Alan Carr’s Changing Ends”.
Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, conveyed his excitement about the partnership with ITV: “We could not be happier to partner with ITV in bringing the Oscars to viewers throughout the UK. The Oscars is a celebration of global cinema, recognizing films and film artists from around the world. ITV’s support of our international awards show is a testament to its deep devotion to the movies.”
While this exclusive broadcasting arrangement marks a significant achievement for ITV and UK viewers, it’s worth noting that the Oscars ceremony, which is typically held in Los Angeles, extends well into the early hours for UK audiences. Nonetheless, with this new deal, film enthusiasts across the nation can revel in the magic of cinema’s grandest night from the comfort of their own homes.