The Academy Awards are moving up -- to an earlier time slot.
ABC and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday the 96th Academy Awards will start an hour earlier next year, beginning at 4 p.m. on the West Coast.
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No specific reason was given for the move, although it is likely an effort to maintain viewers on the East Coast. Under the previous start time, the Sunday night broadcast wouldn't end until at least 11:30 p.m. on the East Coast. And the ceremony typically goes beyond its 3 1/2-hour scheduled runtime, meaning the broadcast would often approach midnight for eastern viewers.
According to ABC, the telecast will be preceded by a 30-minute pre- show beginning at 3:30 p.m. on the West Coast, and the telecast will be followed by an original episode of the comedy series "Abbott Elementary."
On the West Coast, the entire Oscar ceremony will then be rebroadcast during prime time.
The Oscars are scheduled for Sunday, March 10, broadcasting from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Jimmy Kimmel will host.
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