Jimmy Kimmel back to host
TV host Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023.
Patrick T. Fallon | Afp | Getty Images
Jimmy Kimmel is set to host the Academy Awards for the second consecutive year. This marks his fourth time helming the gig — he also emceed in 2017, 2018 and 2023.
The late-night talk show host was tapped for the job again after attracting nearly 19 million viewers last year, the most since 2020’s pre-pandemic Oscars ceremony.
The show went hostless in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes split hosting duties in 2022, the year Will Smith slapped Chris Rock.
Kimmel has had his fair share of iconic Oscars moments, too. In 2017, the musical “La La Land” was mistakenly announced as the year’s best picture. “Moonlight” had actually won the award.
— Sarah Whitten
An early start for the Oscars
Artist Antje Menikhem touches up backgrounds for the red carpet arrivals on March 7, 2024 in Hollywood, California, with preparations underway for the 96th Academy Awards.
Valerie Macon | AFP | Getty Images
Fans of the Oscars know the ceremony typically takes place at 8 p.m. ET, but this year it’s starting an hour earlier.
Sunday also marks the first full day of Daylight Saving Time, and clocks moved forward at 2 a.m.
The earlier start could keep viewers tuned in longer and boost ratings. In the past, networks and ceremony hosts have attempted to keep the show under three hours, but many have still managed to stretch until after 11 p.m. ET. Much of the drop-off in viewership has come from East Coasters turning off their TVs in the third hour.
Many speculate that ABC, which is handling the telecast this year, could also benefit from moving up the start time. This year it’s following the Academy Awards with a new episode of the hit show “Abbott Elementary.” The ceremony’s earlier start time could bring more eyeballs to the show.
— Sarah Whitten
How to watch this year’s Oscars
For those who still have a cable subscription, the 96th Academy Awards will be aired live on ABC starting at 7 p.m. ET.
The ceremony will also be streamed live on abc.com and the ABC app, as well as through streaming services like Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV and FuboTV.
— Sarah Whitten
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