ABC has signed a deal to broadcast the Oscars through to 2028. The existing deal adds eight years to the existing contract which was set to expire in 2020. Cheryl Boone Issacs, President of the Academy said, “We’re honored to continue our storied and successful partnership with ABC in broadcasting the most watched live entertainment event of the year. In 2028, we’ll mark the Oscars 100th anniversary, and ABC is the perfect partner to help us celebrate the magic of movies with our fans. On behalf of the Academy, I thank Jim Gianopulos, our Academy Treasurer and chair of the Board’s Finance Committee, and Disney/ABC’s Ben Sherwood, for leading these efforts.”
Ben Sherwood, co-chairman of Disney Media Networks and President of the Disney/ABC Television Group added, “After hosting the Academy Awards more than 50 times, ABC has become the home for Hollywood’s most prestigious and glamorous night of television. With this new landmark agreement, ABC is proud to showcase the Oscars all the way to their Centennial celebration in 2028.” He added,”Broadcast television brings together the biggest audiences with high-quality live events, and ABC has the brightest, boldest lineup in the business,” Sherwood said. “We look forward to teaming with the Academy to bring Oscar Sunday to even greater creative heights as we spotlight motion picture magic and honor the achievements of the most talented members of the film industry.”
“The Academy’s partnership with ABC has been one of the most enduring in Hollywood,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “Both the Academy and ABC set high bars for excellence, and ABC has a proven passion to help us deliver a great show to our global audience. We couldn’t think of a more trusted collaborator to further our mission of inspiring and connecting the world through film.”
“We are elated the Oscars will continue to call ABC home,” said Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment. “The ceremony is an important part of network programming, and we’re looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Academy and delivering a multi-faceted, and multi-platform, ceremony celebrating the world’s biggest stars and honoring excellence in filmmaking.”
The Academy’s negotiating team was led by Boone Isaacs, Hudson, Gianopulos, attorneys Chris Tayback and Ken Ziffren, economic advisor John Sandbrook and Academy in-house counsel Scott Miller.
The Disney/ABC Television Group’s negotiating team consisted of Sherwood; Dungey; Jana Wingrade, head of Business Operations; Jennifer Mayo, senior vice president, Business Affairs; Grant Michaelson, vice president, Business Affairs; Mark Mazie, chief counsel, Media Networks; and Stewart Harrison, deputy chief counsel.
The 89th Academy Awards will be held on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood and will be televised by ABC.
