Academy Awards poised to make history despite expected low-ratings amid the coronavirus pandemic

The 93rd Academy Awards are expected to be the lowest-rated yet despite several opportunities to make history.

While this isn't the first awards show to forge ahead despite the pandemic, the Oscars are breaking from the largely virtual Golden Globes by having locations for the stars to actually attend the event. However, numerous international hubs and satellite feeds will connect nominees unable to travel. The most noteable change from other pandemic-era award shows is that the red carpet is back. However, it will still be a little different in that only a handful of media outlets will be allowed on site. Casual wear is a no-no. The pre-show on ABC will include pre-taped performances of the five Oscar-nominated songs. The ceremony is available to stream on Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, FuboTV and on ABC.com with provider authentication. Pulling the musical interludes (though not the in memoriam segment) from the three-hour broadcast — and drastically cutting down the time it will take winners to reach the podium — will free up a lot of time in the ceremony. And producers, led by filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, are promising a reinvented telecast.