Oscars latest: Who should win – and what’s inside nominees’ unofficial £260k goodie bags
Oscars 2024: Who Should Claim the Wins and the Unofficial £260k Rewards for Nominees
The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood is abuzz as stars like Jessie Buckley, Michael B. Jordan, Timothee Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Emma Stone prepare to take the stage for the ceremony. Sky News is live in Los Angeles, offering real-time coverage of the event.
Significant changes are on the horizon for the Oscars. Beginning in 2029, the 101st edition will shift to YouTube streaming, ending decades of ABC broadcasts. This move means the ceremony will reach a global audience of over two billion users for free, expanding its accessibility.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the partnership with YouTube at the end of 2023, granting the platform exclusive rights to the Oscars and related events, including the Governors Ball afterparty, from 2029 through 2033. “We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars and our year-round academy programming,” stated Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor.
While last year’s Oscars drew 19.7 million viewers on ABC, a five-year peak, it still fell short of the 57 million who watched in 1998. ABC has hosted the event since 1961, with NBC briefly stepping in between 1971 and 1975. This year marks their final broadcast for the 100th anniversary.
Behind the Scenes: The Sky News Oscars Team
Just after 11:30 a.m. in LA, the Sky News team is finalizing preparations for the red carpet. On-camera arts correspondent Katie Spencer is undergoing professional styling at the hotel before assuming her role. The process involves collaboration with experts like hair stylist Melissa and make-up artist Naisha, who are accustomed to enhancing appearances for award show attendees.
“For Katie, we’re creating a vintage Hollywood look with waves,” Melissa explained. “These can be long days, so you need to keep moving through the entire weekend.”
Naisha, with nearly a decade of experience, noted the hectic pace of awards weekends. “I love red carpet looks,” she said. “For Katie, I’m thinking of a brown, smoky eye. I don’t go for black since it feels too heavy, especially with the sun still up.”
“A lot of times I don’t know people. They’re like, ‘Oh, I wrote this movie!’”
As the event unfolds, the focus shifts to the competition. Experts at Gold Derby, a 25-year-old LA-based organization, compile predictions from insiders and fans. Editor-in-chief Debra Birnbaum shared her insights on the night’s potential outcomes.
“Usually, it gets kind of boring by this point,” Birnbaum remarked. “We’ve seen the same faces and speeches, and the winners are often predictable. But this year is different. The only person I’m reasonably confident about is Jessie Buckley.”
Birnbaum highlighted the unpredictability of this awards season. “It’s been a wild ride, unlike anything we’ve seen in years. Anything can happen on Oscar night,” she added. With a 96.97% chance of victory, Buckley stands out as the sole actor to secure all four major precursor awards: Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Critics’ Choice, and Actor Awards.
“Her performance is transformative, exactly the kind that award voters gravitate toward,” Birnbaum noted. “She’s won every major award… and no one has ever swept the precursor events and then lost the Oscar, except for Russell Crowe in 2002.”
