For many, watching the Oscars is a yearly ritual; the glitz of the red carpet, the predictable award winners, the awkward presenters. This year, one very specific detail has changed, as evidenced in a recent press release: “This Year’s Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented…from the Hollywood & Highland Center.” No more “Kodak Theatre” for the Oscars — after filing for bankruptcy protection last month, Kodak is out of the game, ending its almost $4 million-a-year payments for naming rights of the theater. So until Hollywood & Highland owner CIM finds a new sponsor (perhaps Instagram Theater would be more appropriate for the times?), the coverage will refer to the show by the space’s location.
The theater was built ten years ago chiefly to stage the Oscars, but whether the awards show will stay there is unknown. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is currently in negotiations with CIM, and has exercised an escape clause in their 20-year contract. The Oscars could have a new home as early as 2014, possibly at the Nokia Theater.