Oscars latest: Who should win – and what’s inside nominees’ unofficial £260k goodie bags
Oscars Countdown Begins: Stars Gather for Hollywood’s Prestigious Ceremony
As the annual Academy Awards draw near, Hollywood’s elite are assembling at the Dolby Theatre. Notable figures such as Jessie Buckley, Michael B. Jordan, Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Emma Stone are set to take the red carpet. Sky News is providing live coverage from Los Angeles, capturing every moment of the event.
Oscars Transition to YouTube: A New Era Begins in 2029
Starting in 2029, the Oscar ceremony will undergo a significant shift. The iconic event, which has aired on ABC for nearly its entire history, will move to YouTube, marking a new chapter in its global broadcast. This change will grant the platform exclusive rights to stream the awards, including the red carpet and Governors Ball festivities, for five consecutive years.
A Historic Shift in Broadcasting
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently announced its partnership with YouTube, signaling a departure from decades of ABC’s dominance. Bill Kramer, Academy CEO, and Lynette Howell Taylor, president, emphasized the transformative nature of this collaboration. “We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube,” they stated, highlighting the expanded reach for the event’s global audience.
Despite the shift, ABC has maintained a strong presence, with last year’s ceremony attracting 19.7 million viewers—a record high for the past five years. However, this pales in comparison to the 57 million audience in 1998, a milestone that underscores the changing landscape of television ratings.
Behind the Glamour: Preparations for the Red Carpet
As the sun rises over Los Angeles, the Sky News Oscar team is already in full gear. Arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer is undergoing a professional transformation at the hotel, while the team’s stylists are finalizing looks for the evening’s proceedings. This year’s event is proving to be a particularly hectic chapter in the world of awards fashion.
Hairstylist Melissa, who has previously worked with Jennifer Lopez and Ariana Grande, is currently styling five celebrities. “We discuss their outfits and the desired aesthetic before finalizing the look,” she explains. “For Katie, we’re aiming for a classic Hollywood wave, reminiscent of bygone eras.” Make-up artist Naisha, with nearly a decade of experience, shares that the process is often demanding. “These are long days, so we need to stay focused through the entire weekend,” she adds.
Expert Predictions: A Thrilling Awards Season Unfolds
Gold Derby, a well-established authority in entertainment forecasting, has been tracking the Oscars for over 25 years. Their latest insights suggest an unpredictable race, with one name standing out: Jessie Buckley. Editor-in-chief Debra Birnbaum notes that Buckley’s chances are nearly certain, with a 96.97% likelihood of victory.
“This time, the only person I feel reasonably confident about is Jessie Buckley,” Birnbaum says. “It’s been an unprecedented awards season, and that’s what makes it exciting. No one has ever won all the precursor awards and then lost the Oscar, except Russell Crowe.”
Birnbaum highlights Buckley’s consistent performance across major award shows, including the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Critics’ Choice, and Actor Awards. “Her role in Hamnet is a standout achievement, and voters have shown a clear preference for such transformative work,” she elaborates. The 2002 case of Russell Crowe, who secured the Oscar after triumphing in earlier ceremonies, remains a rare exception in the industry.
