The Oscars: Hit Songs, All the Drama, and Tons of Money
Mar 1, 2024
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Exploring the financial investments in the Oscars, comparisons with the Grammys, the decline of big movie soundtracks, controversies, biggest snubs, and ideas for improving the show. Dive deep into the drama of the entertainment industry and wild theories.
Hollywood invests over $100 million annually in Oscar campaigns, demonstrating the awards' financial significance.
The Oscars have faced controversies ranging from biased nominations to underrepresentation of non-US films.
Deep dives
Evolution of the Oscars and its Legacy
The Oscars have evolved significantly from their inception in 1929, when the first show had only silent films. Over time, changes like announcing live results and increasing suspense have shaped the modern Oscars. Despite controversies and criticisms, the Oscars continue to draw immense financial investments, with Hollywood spending over $100 million annually on lobbying.
Influence of Tech Companies and Campaigning
Tech giants like Netflix and Apple invest tens of millions of dollars in Oscar campaigns, demonstrating the significance of the awards in Hollywood. These companies strategically utilize content like movies and TV shows to enhance their standing within the industry and boost their business ventures.
Money and Revenue Generation
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences rakes in substantial revenue, with $230 million generated in a fiscal year. ABC pays around $100 million annually to broadcast the Oscars, expecting a return of about $150 million in advertising revenue. Comparatively, the Recording Academy's annual revenue stands around $89-$90 million.
Controversies and Criticisms
The Oscars have faced various controversies, from biased nominations to underrepresentation of non-US films. Criticisms include a focus on certain types of roles, lack of recognition for comedies and comic book movies, and a preference for white male stories. Notable moments like mistaken announcements and the recent Will Smith incident add further intrigue and debate to the Oscars.
This episode is about Hollywood's biggest night, the Academy Awards. I’m joined by friend of the pod Zack O'Malley Greenburg to dive deep into the Oscars, how it compares to the Grammys, its relationship with music, the money spent on campaigns, the dramas, the major controversies, and some wild theories.
00:00 The money behind the Oscars
06:30 Why the Grammys gets worse ratings than the Oscars
22:05 What happened to big movie soundtracks?
31:36 Controversies over the years
40:02 Biggest snubs of all time
44:39 How to improve the show
Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week!