Not the Academy’s expansion of its top category to ten slots, nor its hiring of two hosts, is paying off where it counts: James Cameron’s Avatar — the biggest movie EVER! — is scheduled to win Best Picture over nine other films on March 7, but ABC has only been able to sell 30-second ads on the Oscars for between $1.3 million and $1.5 million, which is on par with the measly $1.4 million they sold them for last year when the comparatively low-grossing Slumdog Millionaire took top honors in a field of the usual five. Also, it’s less than the $1.82 million commercials went for in 2008 when the Academy saluted No Country for Old Men, which was the year the telecast got its lowest-ever ratings. If, as expected, next year’s ceremony is presided over by four hosts and twenty films compete for the top award, you’ll be able to buy ads.
Despite Potentially Bigger Audience, Oscar Prices in Line With Last Year [Ad Age]
