ABC Ties Up Oscars Till 2014

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ABC has extended its contract with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to telecast the Oscars through 2014. The new deal marks a six-year extension beyond the previous agreement.

“The Academy Awards stand as the preeminent awards show in the world,” says Anne Sweeney, president of the Disney-ABC Television Group. “We’re thrilled to continue our long, fruitful association with the Academy through 2014 and to continue bringing this exciting and glamorous event to our audience.”

Bracing for the 77th Academy Awards telecast on Sunday, Feb. 27, ABC’s new pact ensures that the network will have aired 28 consecutive Oscars by 2014 and 56 of 61 televised ceremonies.

“Oscar lives at ABC,” notes Academy President Frank Pierson.

The extension governs domestic Oscar telecasts through 2014. International rights are controlled by ABC’s corporate sibling Buena Vista International and run through 2010.

“All of us at the Academy were particularly gratified by the participation of Walt Disney President and Chief Operating Officer Bob Iger in these negotiations,” says Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis. “The Academy is very protective of the Oscars, and one of the main factors that has kept us at ABC is our confidence that Bob understands and respects the things that make us the gold standard of Award Shows. He’s been an important constant throughout all our dealings with the network since 1989.”

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