ABC sold 26 minutes of advertising time for about $72 million in its Feb. 22 Academy Awards broadcast, the most since 2004, TNS Media Intelligence says. The high number of sales came despite General Motors and L’Oreal, two major sponsors, pulling out. “This year’s tumultuous economic climate was both...
The 2009 Academy Awards rebounded nicely from last year’s record-low ratings, but not enough to prevent the show from ranking as the second lowest-rated ceremony ever among adults 18-49. According to preliminary fast national data from Nielsen supplied by ABC, Sunday’s Hugh Jackman-hosted ceremony notched...
There's an early glimmer of hope that this year's Oscar ratings won't be quite as bad as some prognosticators had feared. Accurate Nielsen numbers for Sunday's Oscars won't be available until later today, but in the nation's biggest TV markets, at least, the show managed to register...
Last year, Jimmy Kimmel devoted his post-Oscar show to “F***king Ben Affleck.” This year, Mr. Kimmel will be chatting with Mel Gibson. Mr. Gibson, a two-time Academy Award winner, has been booked as a guest on this Sunday’s post-kudos edition of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC announced Friday. Crooner Robin...
Hyundai is going for Oscar gold. The Korean car company said it will air eight commercials during Sunday’s Academy Awards broadcast on ABC. Longtime sponsors General Motors and L’Oreal reportedly have pulled out of the event, often referred to as the Super Bowl for women because of the large—and largely...
“Project Runway’s” Tim Gunn, “Good Morning America’s” Robin Roberts and Jess Cagle will host ABC’s Oscars pre-show, airing Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. ET. “The Oscars Red Carpet 2009” will feature fashion commentary from Mr. Gunn. Mr. Gunn and Ms. Roberts also will interview celebrities during the 30-minute pre...
ABC is slashing the price of an ad in the Academy Awards to $1.4 million—and for the first time the Oscars will accept ads for movies. What’s that? You thought the broadcast always ran ads for films? It might seem so, but motion-picture ads were always banned in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and...
Hugh Jackman will serve as host for February’s “81st Annual Academy Awards” telecast on ABC, the network confirmed Friday. This will be Mr. Jackman’s first time hosting the ceremony. He has previously hosted the Tony Awards, winning an Emmy for the 2005 show. “Hugh Jackman is a consummate entertainer...