Incoming BAFTA CEO Looks to Drive TV Ratings for Awards Ceremony, Sets Historic Live Broadcast of Top Categories

TV ratings for the Academy Awards may be on a downward trajectory, but that hasn’t stopped the British Academy from following the Oscars book to boost its own TV appeal.

As part of a revitalized format for the BAFTA Film Awards, for the 2023 edition, which will take place on February 19 at the Royal Festival Hall in London’s Southbank Centre, and with BAFTA TV Chief Executive, veteran Jane Millichip now in the lead: The last four categories of the night will be broadcast live for the first time in the show’s history.

Channeling the Oscars a bit more, the ceremony will feature musical performances throughout the night from “music newcomers and legends alike,” according to BAFTA. At the 2022 ceremony, Dame Shirley Bassey opened the proceedings with a performance inspired by 60 years of James Bond.

Also aiming to enhance the in-home experience, the show will have two hosts, one from the auditorium and one in a new BAFTA Backstage Studios, which will feature talent interviews of past and present winners, nominees and presenters.

“We know the transformative impact winning a BAFTA can have, not just for the names on the golden envelope, but for everyone watching at home and we hope they will be inspired to become the filmmakers of the future,” said Millichip. “The changes we are making to the BBC One awards broadcast will ensure those audiences have the best seats in the house. The live broadcast of the last awards of the night will build anticipation, and our backstage studio will give viewers an exclusive look at the event and the talent that will be participating.”

The three rounds of voting for BAFTA’s global members begin on December 6. The long list will be published on January 6, followed by the nominations via a global live broadcast on January 19 from BAFTA’s newly refurbished headquarters at 195 Piccadilly, London.