ratings have been down . '' Oscar producers realized they `` can juice the show up all you want , but people watch the Oscars when there are movies competing that they have an interest in , '' Pond said . The best picture nominations often consist of movies that `` the vast majority of people have not seen , '' he said . The problem `` came to a head with ` The Dark Knight , ' '' which sold more than $ 1 billion in tickets worldwide , but was snubbed by the academy in the best picture category last year , he said . The Batman sequel won best movie at the MTV Movie Awards and was chosen favorite movie by the People 's Choice Awards . It also made many critics ' top 10 lists . If the nomination field had been expanded last year , the film might have made the best picture list , `` which clearly would have been some kind of bump in the ratings , '' Pond said . This would also counter the impression among TV viewers that the awards show is `` for movie snobs who do n't like
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The number of movies nominated for the best picture Oscar will double next year , a move apparently aimed at bolstering sagging ratings for the Academy Awards broadcast . Danny Boyle exults in an Oscar win for `` Slumdog Millionaire '' earlier this year . `` Having 10 Best Picture nominees is going allow academy voters to recognize and include some of the fantastic movies that often show up in the other Oscar categories , but have been squeezed out of the race for the top prize , '' Sid Ganis , president of the Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , said . Doubling the nominations would make it more likely a viewer 's favorite movie is in the running for the top honor , which may make them want to watch the show , said Steve Pond , author of `` The Big Show : High Times and Dirty Dealings Backstage at the Academy Awards . '' `` This clearly is a reaction to declining ratings , '' Pond said . `` Even though this last show the ratings were up ... over the last 10 years or so the