VIDEO : Oscars Airdate Change May Force Big Box Office Shift

While much of the shocked reaction to the Academy?s changes to the Oscars focused on the possibility of awards being presented during commercial breaks and the introduction of a Best Popular Film category, there was another big announcement that may change the complexion of the box office: an earlier Oscars airdate. Starting in 2020, the Academy is planning to move Oscar Sunday out of its late February/early March airdate to the weekend following the Super Bowl on Feb.