ITV has officially bagged the rights to exclusively broadcast and stream the Oscars in the UK, it has been confirmed.
The Academy Awards have found themselves a new British home.
After it was revealed that Sky had lost the rights to broadcast the annual motion picture awards ceremony – which it had held since 2004, taking over from the BBC – ITV has now taken the reins as the exclusive partner for the 96th Oscars as part of what is a new multi-year deal with Disney Entertainment.
Next year’s ceremony will air live from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood into living rooms across the UK through ITV1 and ITVX.
This means that, for the first time since 2003, film fans on this side of the pond will be able to watch the biggest event in the awards season calendar on TV for free.
Sky lost the Oscars’ broadcast rights after viewing ratings for the show began plummeting year-on-year, with reports indicating that only 35,000 people watched last year’s event, compared to almost 60,000 the year before.
But now its ITV’s turn to roll out the red carpet
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“We are thrilled to be able to exclusively bring the Oscars to film fans all across the UK,” Darren Nartey, Senior Acquisitions Manager for ITV and ITVX, commented on the new broadcast deal.
“[This will] further and complement our commitment to films across our network, as 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.”
ITV gets rights to exclusively broadcast and stream the Oscars in the UK / Credit: WallpaperFlare
Bill Kramer, who is the CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said he “could not be happier” to partner with ITV in bringing the Oscars to UK viewers, adding: “The Oscars is a celebration of global cinema and recognies films and film artists from around the world.
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“ITV’s support of our international awards show is a testament to its deep devotion to the movies.”
This new multi-year agreement will also see future Oscars made available across ITV platforms and programming – including ITV1 and ITVX, ITVX social channels, and news and magazine shows.
You can watch the 96th Oscars exclusively on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK on Sunday 10 March 2024.
Featured Image – The Academy (via Twitter)
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Firefighters continue to tackle moorland fire at Dovestones Reservoir amid ‘strong’ winds
Emily Sergeant
Firefighters are continuing to tackle a large moorland fire near Dovestones Reservoir.
After the blaze broke out on Saturday evening at the popular beauty spot in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response that has now entered its second day, fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies have also been deployed as operations continue across multiple sectors of the incident.
To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds yesterday carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.
Firefighters are currently tackling a moorland fire near Dovestones Reservoir.
Crews from across Greater Manchester, supported by specialist wildfire resources, are working to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading further.
— Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) July 11, 2026
Residents affected by smoke are advised to keep windows and doors closed where possible.
GMFRS say firefighters ‘remain focused’ on limiting the spread of the blaze while protecting the surrounding landscape and supporting ongoing operations in ‘difficult’ terrain.
“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area where possible to allow emergency services and partner agencies to carry out their work safely,” GMFRS said in a statement as firefighters remained at the scene overnight.
As operations continue, the fire service has issued another safety warning, urging people not to use disposable barbecues, light campfires or set off fireworks on or near moorland.
“In the current dry conditions, even a small spark can quickly develop into a significant fire,” their plea concluded.
Featured Image – GMFRS
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Urgent open water safety appeal issued after teen tragically dies in Dovestone Reservoir
Emily Sergeant
A new open water safety appeal has been issued after the body of a teenager was recovered from Dovestone Reservoir.
At around 7pm last Friday evening (10 July 2026), emergency services responded to an incident at popular beauty spot Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham, and upon arrival, they located a man, confirmed to be 18 years of age, unresponsive in the water.
The body was recovered from the water, but despite the best efforts of medical professionals, the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Speaking on the tragic situation, Detective Inspector Steven Horton, from GMP’s Oldham district, said: “We have tragically recovered the body of an 18-year-old man from the water and are conducting extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances.
“Our thoughts remain with his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is also urging parents and guardians to remind their children about the dangers of swimming and jumping into open water during the hot weather and summer months.
Looks like it will stay warm a bit longer, so why not have a chat with your kids, or other young people you know, about the dangers of open water? It could save their life ❤️
Important messages to discuss with your child: • Jumping into open water can be fatal. It can be much… pic.twitter.com/vo5tHSHkyi
— Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) July 10, 2026
One of the most common dangers is cold water shock, as even on warm days, cold water can quickly overwhelm the body, and hidden hazards below the water’s surface can also place people in danger within seconds.
Anyone who finds themselves getting into difficulty in the water is urged to put their head back with their ears submerged, relax and try to breathe normally, and move their hands to help them stay afloat, remembering that it’s okay if your legs sink as ‘we all float differently’, GMFRS says.
“You can spread your arms and legs to improve stability,” the fire service added in its appeal.
Emily Sergeant -
12th September 2023 
