HOSTS ANNOUNCED FOR “THE OSCARS BACKSTAGE” ON OSCAR.COM

Date: 
Thursday, February 18, 2016 - 09:00

This year’s “The Oscars® Backstage” on Oscar.com, which is the ultimate second screen experience for fans watching the show, will be hosted by a multi-talented group of TV personalities, including actor/writer/producer Orlando Jones, actress and TV personality Diane Mizota, actor Matt Shively, film critic and entertainment reporter Ben Lyons, and entertainment and sports reporter Chris Connelly. The director’s cut from the best of the live backstage cameras will also be available on ABCNews.com, AOL, Comcast Xfinity and Yahoo. 

Presented again this year by Samsung, “The Oscars® Backstage” allows fans to choose from four channels that will pull from more than 20 live cameras strategically placed on the red carpet and backstage at the Dolby Theatre®, providing fans with insider views into the most memorable moments of the night. Pre-show channels include: Director's Cut, Arrivals, Fashion and Red Carpet. During the show, the channels are Director's Cut (including the popular Thank You cam), Audience, Backstage and Press Rooms.

Jones (“Sleepy Hollow,” “The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” “MadTV”) and Access Hollywood Live’s #MyStyleFinds Mizota will host “The Director’s Cut” feeds during both the pre-show and awards telecast.  Shively (ABC’s “The Real O’Neal’s”) will report from the fan bleachers on the red carpet with The Players' Tribune Chief Correspondent Ben Lyons reporting from behind-the-scenes.  “Good Morning America” and ESPN contributing editor Chris Connelly is returning as the official greeter of The Oscars red carpet, which includes welcoming nominees, presenters and performers to the show.

The 88th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 28, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.