The Oscars next month will pre-tape the announcements of eight winners in an attempt to make the televised ceremony "tighter and more electric," organizers announced Tuesday.

The decision, made to "prioritize the television audience," will free up more time for musical performances, comedy and tributes, AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) President David Rubin confirmed in an email to nominees and members.

Television ratings for the Oscars have dramatically declined in recent years. Last year's edition was watched by just over 10 million viewers -- a 56 percent decline from 2020, which was already a record low.

Eight awards "will initially be presented in the Dolby Theatre in the hour before the live broadcast begins," and edited highlights will be "folded seamlessly into the live televised show," the email seen by AFP reads.

Some categories will be pre-taped

AMPAS has considered reducing the number of categories in the live broadcast before, and recently merged its "sound mixing" and "sound editing" awards into a single Oscar.

But previous attempts were unpopular, particularly among members working in craft categories -- from film editing to makeup and hairstyling -- who fear missing out on what is often a career-highlight moment.

Those categories will now be pre-taped, along with awards for original score, sound, production design, documentary shorts, animated shorts and live-action shorts.

Show will become "tighter" for audience at home

Rubin's email emphasizes that "every awarded filmmaker and artist in every category will still have the celebratory 'Oscar moment' they deserve on the stage of the Dolby, facing an enrapt audience."

The streamlining measure will leave "more time and opportunity for audience entertainment and engagement through comedy, musical numbers, film clip packages and movie tributes," he said.

"For the audience at home, the show's flow does not change, though it will become tighter and more electric with this new cadence."

Three hosts since three years

The decision is the Academy's latest move to boost interest and viewership in its flagship event.

The 94th Academy Awards telecast will also include a new "fan favorite" prize for the year's most popular film, as voted for by Twitter users.

Several of last year's crowd-pleasing blockbusters including Spider-Man: No Way Home and No Time To Die had failed to earn Oscar nominations in major categories, including best picture.

Sci-fi epic Dune and western drama Power of the Dog lead the nominations with 10 and 12 nominations each in the major categories.

After going three years without a host, the Oscars on March 27 will have comedy trio Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall as hosts.

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