The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced plans on Wednesday to create a new category at the Oscars — for “outstanding achievement in popular film.”

John Bailey, the Academy president, and Dawn Hudson, the CEO, wrote a letter to Academy members unveiling changes to the ceremony that were decided on by the Board of Governors, according to . That move came after outcry accompanied the Academy’s perceived failure to nominate “The Dark Knight” and “WALL-E” for the top award, instead favoring “Frost/Nixon,” “Milk” and “The Reader.”

Ratings for the 91st Academy Awards fell to an all-time low of 26.5 million viewers, down 19 percent from the previous year and the first time the glitzy awards ceremony had fewer than 30 million viewers since 2008. Meanwhile, the Academy also announced plans to ensure that the length of the ceremony is kept to three hours - with some categories set to be awarded during ad breaks, and then broadcast in edited form later in the show. A representative for the Academy confirmed to "Good Morning America" that the new category will be implemented in time for next year's ceremony, which is scheduled for Feb. 24.What's more, the ceremony's 2020 show will air even earlier in the year on Feb. 9.The most welcome piece of news, though, is that the Academy says it will take steps to battle the show's tendency to run long -- way too long, in many cases -- and create a "more globally accessible, three-hour telecast." Eligibility requirements for the new category have not been publicized, either, but several critics have accused the academy of pandering and lessening the stature of the best picture category.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces new changes to the Oscars, including possibly a shorter ceremony, and a new category called "Most Popular Film".