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ITV gets rights to exclusively broadcast and stream the Oscars in the UK

A pretty big deal this, tbf.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 12th September 2023

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.

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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.

Read more:

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)

News

Manchester’s AO Arena scoop up Take That as Keane’s Co-op Live gig is cancelled in ongoing venue saga

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Take That gigs moved to AO Arena as Keane's Co-op Live are cancelled

Manchester’s existing arena, the AO Arena, has stepped in to host more concerts that have been postponed by Co-op Live, with yet another act being cancelled too.

First it was A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, announced earlier today and now, in perhaps the most damning twist of fate for the brand-new venue, Take That’s five-night run that was set for the Co-op Live this May has now been moved to the AO Arena.

Their two June dates at the new arena are said to be unaffected.

The Co-op Live‘s official opening has been hit with several delays, with events like Peter Kay’s double bill, Olivia Rodrigo and The Black Keys all already postponed over the last week or so.

Issuing a statement after rescuing multiple Take That shows, AO Arena general manager Jen Mitchell, said: “It wouldn’t be a Take That tour without a stop-off in Manchester, so it’s great to welcome the band and their fans back to AO Arena for five nights, in the heart of this wonderful city.”

The venue has naturally welcomed the sudden flood of extra names being added to its already strong lineup for 2024, doing its best to minimise inconvenience for gig-goers who have made travel arrangements, booked hotels etc.

As for the group themselves, they also responded to their tens of thousands of fans expecting to see them from this weekend onwards.

Confessing that they’ve had to make “the difficult decision” to switch venues and although “it’s not one [they’ve taken lightly], they wanted to give fans as much notice as possible”, adding: “We thank you for your understanding and we’ll see you all soon”.

Meanwhile, Noughties favourites Keane have sadly had to shelve their Manchester show for the foreseeable following the venue’s continuing “technical issues”.

Announcing the news on their social pages on Thursday evening, they admitted that they were “absolutely gutted” but that the decision was “entirely out of the control”.

Notably, the huge new venue by the Etihad Stadium had to turn away fans who were already queueing for A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie on Monday 1 May, after part of an air conditioning unit fell from the ceiling onto a (thankfully) empty arena floor.

Question marks had already been hanging over whether some upcoming gigs would be able to go ahead and now it seems that they will be taking place – just not at the Co-op Live…

Manchester’s decades-old AO Arena, the largest indoor venue in the UK (until the Co-op Live opens), will be welcoming Keane to its stage instead.

With so many people having been pitting the two venues against one another over the last weeks and months, let’s just say it’s quite clear who’s come out looking better at the minute…

Co-op Live recap – cancelled shows, rescheduled dates, and more from chaotic opening night

Read more:

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press Images

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A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig to AO Arena following Co-op Live cancellation

Danny Jones Danny Jones A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig from Co-op Live to AO Arena after cancellation

Rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has confirmed that his cancelled Co-op Live gig has now been moved to Manchester’s AO Arena this weekend.

After suddenly being lined up as the venue’s first official gig after the postponement of both Peter Kay and The Black Keys, the American hip-hop artists’ show ended up going the same as the others previously scheduled for the new arena and being pulled at the last minute.

With guests being turned away from the still-yet-to-open Co-op Live Arena just hours before the show was set to start, and Olivia Rodrigo fans being given the same unfortunate news ahead of her gig this Saturday, ABWDH has taken matters into his own hands.

Announcing the rescheduling of his concert on X, the 28-year-old artist confirmed that Wednesday night’s gig has now been relocated to Co-op’s main rival, the AO Arena.

The switch to the AO comes after A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie issued a statement admitting he was ‘heated’ about the situation.

Set to take place on Saturday, the artist – which just so happens to be his first name (yes, seriously) – had a simple message for his fans: “We won’t give up that easy, let’s go!”.

Co-op Live’s CEO was forced to resign late last month following the chaos of what was supposed to be their opening week.

Nevertheless, it hasn’t stopped the venue – which is set to become the UK’s biggest indoor entertainment venue and one of the largest in Europe when it finally does open – from announcing more events over the coming months and well into 2025.

Confirming the show on their social pages, the AO simply promised, “It’s going to be a brilliant night and we can’t wait to see you all here.”

Safety has been raised as the biggest concern after an air conditioning unit fell from the ceiling before ABWDH’s concert.

The AO Arena has hosted some of the biggest names in the entire world in the course of its existence and recently underwent a £50m refurbishment that included the launch of The Mezz.

Safe to say this presents an interesting twist in events when so many people have been pitting the two venues against one another.

Question marks have been hanging over whether more upcoming gigs, like Keane on Sunday 5 May, and then a five-night run of gigs from Take That will still be able to go ahead.

It remains to be seen whether other artists will follow suit in moving their shows should more cancellations/postponements be announced.

You can recap everything that’s happened so far down below:

Co-op Live recap – cancelled shows, rescheduled dates, and more from chaotic opening night

Read more:

Featured Images — Press Images/The Manc Audio

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