Coverage of the Oscars was broadcast in the UK for free last night for the first time in two decades, but ITV's coverage has been criticized on social media for its insensitivity and lack of critical expertise.
The Los Angeles concert was watched by nearly a million viewers in the UK and an average of 630,000 viewers from its start time at 22.15 GMT until the early hours of the morning, but viewers used X to air their complaints.
Deadline revealed that ITV acquired the Oscars rights from Sky last year, and that its coverage was led by British broadcaster Jonathan Ross, who joined a committee made up of The hobbit Actor Richard Armitage, radio presenter and documentary filmmaker Yinka Bokini, actress Faye Ripley and comedian and critic Ben Bailey-Smith.
The judgment of many critics and cinephiles who voted for X was that the panel plus Ross lacked sensitivity and there was little critical insight.
Some X users pointed out the absurdity of the painting by comparing it to a Martin Scorsese painting Moonflower killer – a film depicting the killing and torture of Native Americans – was turned into a television series on ITV Emmerdale.
Others cited examples of the committee not correctly pronouncing the names of several candidates, including… remains Da'Vine Award winner Joy Randolph took home the award for Best Supporting Actress.
“ITV #Oscar The committee really needs a film critic or someone who has at least seen all the nominated films and knows who all the nominees are!” The user said…
“The worst Oscar panel I've ever seen,” was another panel's harsh verdict.
Many said they gave up after spending little time covering it, citing a lack of critical experience and the committee members' somewhat dismissive attitude toward the ceremony. See Section X of the post below.
Winning the Oscar rights was a coup for ITV, and its coverage has been badly delayed in recent weeks. The Oscars ceremony was last broadcast on British free-to-air television in 2004, on the BBC, before Sky won the national broadcasting rights. Similar to the US ratings, UK Oscars viewership has declined in recent years: around 35,000 viewers watched live on the main Sky Cinema channel last year, compared to around 60,000 viewers in 2022.
In the US, Jimmy Kimmel once again led the coverage, with highlights including Ryan Gosling's performance. Barbie “I Just Kane” song with guitarist Slash. Oppenheimer It was the big winner of the night, winning awards including best picture, best director for British writer Christopher Nolan and best actor for Cillian Murphy.
