Oscars latest: Who should win – and what’s inside nominees’ unofficial £260k goodie bags
Oscars latest: Who should win – and what’s inside nominees’ unofficial £260k goodie bags
As the Oscars ceremony approaches, A-list celebrities including Jessie Buckley, Michael B. Jordan, Timothee Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Emma Stone are set to take the stage at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. Sky News is providing live updates from Los Angeles, offering real-time insights into the event.
A Shift in the Spotlight
The Oscars may soon take on a new look. Starting in 2029, the ceremony will transition from its long-standing home on ABC to YouTube, a move that marks a significant change for the event. This shift will grant the video-sharing platform exclusive global rights to the awards, including the iconic red carpet and post-ceremony Governors Ball, for a five-year period.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the partnership with YouTube at the end of last year, signaling a new era in how the ceremony is broadcast. “We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars,” said Academy chief executive Bill Kramer and president Lynette Howell Taylor.
A Legacy on ABC
For decades, the Oscars have been a staple on ABC, a network that has hosted the event since 1961. Before that, NBC televised the ceremony as early as 1953, but ABC took over the rights in 1961. The network has remained the primary broadcaster, with only a brief interlude between 1971 and 1975 when NBC returned for a few years.
This year will be ABC’s final broadcast of the Oscars, as the platform prepares to step aside for the 100th anniversary of the ceremony. Last year’s event drew 19.7 million viewers, a record for the past five years, though it pales in comparison to the 57 million who tuned in for the 1998 broadcast.
Behind the Glamour
Just after 11:30 AM in Los Angeles, the Sky News team is finalizing their preparations for the red carpet coverage. Arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer is undergoing a professional makeup session at the hotel before heading to her designated spot to report on the festivities.
The team includes hair stylist Melissa and makeup artist Naisha, who are no strangers to the art of transforming stars for high-profile events. While the Oscars are the most anticipated show, Los Angeles hosts numerous other glamorous events throughout the year.
“These can be long days so you kind of have to power through the whole entire weekend,” Melissa says, reflecting on the demanding nature of awards season. She is currently working on five individuals, with Katie Spencer being her first client.
“I love doing red carpet looks,” Naisha adds. “I’m thinking a brown, smoky eye for Katie. I don’t like to do black because I feel like it’s too heavy and it’s still light out.”
Predictions for the Big Night
Earlier this week, the experts at Gold Derby shared their insights, having tracked entertainment events for over 25 years. The Los Angeles-based organization aggregates predictions from industry insiders, critics, and fans, making it a trusted source for Oscar forecasts.
Editor-in-chief Debra Birnbaum noted that this year’s race is unlike any before. “This time, the only person I would say I feel reasonably confident about is Jessie Buckley,” she said. “It’s been an extraordinary awards season, and that’s what makes it exciting. We haven’t seen a competition like this in years.”
Gold Derby’s analysis highlights Buckley’s strong position, with a 96.97% chance of claiming the top prize. The star of Hamnet has already secured all four major precursor awards, a rare feat that has fueled experts’ confidence. “It’s a transformative performance, the kind that award voters are eager to recognize,” Birnbaum explained. “She has consistently won every award she’s been nominated for—something no one has done before, except for Russell Crowe in 2002.”
