The tradition of the Oscars, officially known as the Academy Awards, has always been surrounded by a flair for suspense and celebration. However, the handling of the highly coveted winners' list was not always shrouded in the secrecy that we see today. Before 1940, the practice was quite different in terms of managing the dissemination of information regarding the winners. The Academy would provide the names of the winners to newspapers in advance of the official announcements. This arrangement was made under one pivotal condition: the newspapers were to withhold publishing the results until 11 p.m. on the night of the awards.
This policy was intended to allow journalists time to prepare their articles and coverage with the correct details, ensuring accuracy and comprehensive reporting. However, this method also opened opportunities for leaks and early releases of the winners, sometimes spoiling the surprise for the live audience and radio listeners who eagerly awaited the announcements. The pivotal shift came in 1940, after the Los Angeles Times broke the embargo and published the names of the winners in its evening edition, which circulated before the ceremony commenced. The premature disclosure caused quite a stir and significantly dampened the excitement of the live reveal at the ceremony.
Reacting to this breach, the Academy made a swift and significant change to its policy to safeguard the suspense and integrity of the Oscar announcements. Thus was born the sealed-envelope system—an iconic part of the Oscars' tradition that has added to the dramatic flair of the ceremony. Since then, the names of the winners are kept secret, locked in envelopes that are opened live on stage, ensuring that the revelation is as thrilling for the attendees and viewers as it is for the nominees. This change not only heightened the drama of the annual event but also restored the element of surprise that is so central to the essence of the Oscars. By securing the confidentiality of the results until the very moment of announcement, the Academy Awards not only fixed a leak but also enhanced the overall spectacle of the event, thereby setting a standard for award shows globally and maintaining the Oscars as a premier and unmissable event for film enthusiasts around the world.
