Published August 31, 2016 7:52am EDT | Updated August 31, 2016 8:04am EDT

Disney's ABC Network Extends Academy Awards Contract Through 2028

Walt Disney Co.'s ABC network said on Wednesday it has expanded its deal with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to broadcast the Oscars through 2028. That adds eight years to ABC's existing contract. The most recent 88th annual Academy Awards garnered 34.425 million total viewers, per Nielsen's same-day ratings, which was down from the previous year's 37.257 million viewers and the smallest audience since ABC's 2008 broadcast. The 89th Academy Awards will be televised Feb. 26 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. A host for the show has not been decided.