Oscars latest: Who should win – and what’s inside nominees’ unofficial £260k goodie bags
Oscars Countdown: A Star-Studded Event and a New Broadcast Era
As the Academy Awards unfold, Hollywood’s biggest names—Jessie Buckley, Michael B. Jordan, Timothee Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Emma Stone—are heading to the Dolby Theatre for the ceremony. Sky News is live in Los Angeles, providing updates on the red carpet and the evening’s festivities.
The Sky News team is already in motion, preparing for the event. I’ll be in the interview room at the Old Dolby Theatre, where winners will share their thoughts after collecting their accolades. Meanwhile, Katie, Claire, and Paul are covering arrivals and the Elton John afterparty.
With the ceremony approaching, the focus shifts to the future of the Oscars. Starting in 2029, the event will move to YouTube, ending its long tenure on ABC. This change means the global audience of two billion will have free access to the show, including its iconic red carpet segments and Governors Ball celebration, through the streaming platform.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has partnered with Google-owned YouTube for exclusive rights from 2029 to 2033. “We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars and our year-round academy programming,” stated Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Lynette Howell Taylor.
Awards Season Unveils New Dynamics
While the ceremony is underway, the stage is set for a different kind of event. The Sky News team is busily getting ready for the red carpet, with on-camera correspondent Katie Spencer undergoing professional styling at the hotel before taking her position. Her preparations include a classic Hollywood-inspired look, as shared by hair stylist Melissa and makeup artist Naisha.
“For Katie, we’re going for waves and an old-school Hollywood vibe,” Melissa explained. “These can be long days, so you have to power through the whole weekend.” Naisha, with nearly a decade of experience in the industry, added, “I love doing red carpet looks. I’m thinking a brown, smoky eye for Katie. I don’t like to do black because it feels too heavy, and it’s still light out.” She also noted, “A lot of times I don’t know people. They’re like, ‘Oh, I wrote this movie.'”
Meanwhile, the Oscars’ historical shift is gaining attention. The show has been on ABC for most of its history, with NBC briefly hosting it from 1953 to 1961. The network will air its final broadcast for the 100th anniversary, marking the end of an era.
Predictions for the Big Night
Gold Derby, a long-standing authority in entertainment forecasting, has shared insights on the upcoming awards. Editor-in-chief Debra Birnbaum reflected on the changing landscape: “Usually, it gets kind of boring by this point. We’ve seen the same faces and speeches, and the outcome feels predictable.” However, this year’s race is a standout.
“This time, the only person I feel reasonably confident about is Jessie Buckley,” Birnbaum noted. “It’s been an unprecedented awards season, and that’s what makes it exciting. We haven’t seen a race like this in years. Anything could happen on Oscar night.”
Gold Derby’s analysis highlights Buckley’s strong position, with a 96.97% chance of securing the win. The nominations have sparked a unique buzz, setting the stage for a memorable night.
