The reversal followed a meeting on Thursday between the cinematographers union and top academy officials.

Hollywood trade publication Variety cited an unidentified source as saying that the decision meant that the Feb. 24 telecast will now run over three hours as a result.

The changes, aimed at cutting about 30 minutes from the ceremony, were first proposed last summer.

Friday's decision follows a series of retreats by the academy, including a plan last year to introduce a new "popular" film category that was also scrapped after an outcry in Hollywood.

Reuters