Apple TV Plus becomes first streaming service to win Best Picture laurel at the Oscars
The Academy Awards of 2022 has been eventful. In the midst of all the celebrations and controversies that erupted, Apple scored a first. When CODA was announced the winner, it also became the first flick from a streaming service to win best picture at the Oscars.
CODA’s winning moment was celebration time for streaming services that have been seeing a major spurt across the world. Streaming services of the likes of Apple, Netflix, and Amazon could have many more celebration events in the offing later on too, going by the way the audiences have been lapping up the services offered by them.
And for now, its Apple TV Plus that is hogging the limelight. Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony saw Apple TV Plus become the first streaming service to win Best Picture at the Oscars. CODA, which was streamed by Apple TV Plus, narrates the travails of Ruby Rossi, the only hearing member in a deaf family. The story rides alongside Rossi as she tries to explore a life away from her family.
Apple TV Plus gets CODA rights for $25 Mn
Soon after CODA was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last year, Apple had bought its rights for an amount to the tune of $25 million. So, when CODA won at the Oscars, it was Apple TV Plus also who won.
Apart from the best picture award, Troy Kotsur won best supporting actor for his role in the film. Besides, writer-director Siân Heder also announced winner for the best adapted screenplay. Significantly, when Kotsur won it was also a landmark. Kotsur is the first deaf actor to have won an acting Oscar since 1986.
It is being said that Apple had pumped in more than $10 million on its Oscars campaign for CODA. With eth award finally coming its way, Apple CEO Tim Cook set the celebrations rolling with a tweet.
History made on streaming arena
Apple TV Plus created history this time around for the streaming services arena with the awards won. Though the Academy had nominated films for best picture from streaming services earlier too, awards had not come their way until now. In 2017, Amazon was close to the top laurel when it won a best picture nomination for Manchester by the Sea.
Apart from Amazon, Netflix also had seen itself among the nominations several times. Netflix streamed flicks such as Roma, The Irishman, Marriage Story, Mank, The Trial of the Chicago 7 earlier. This year, Don’t Look Up and The Power of the Dog this year were among the best picture nominations. However, the top award hasn’t come by as yet.
