Oscars to continue on ABC TV through 2020

ABC television will broadcast the annual Oscar ceremony until 2020, extending its current agreement by six years, the TV network and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said on Thursday.

ABC, a unit of the Walt Disney Co, has broadcast the Academy Awards -- traditionally the most-watched non-sporting event of the year -- to U.S. viewers for decades.

"This contract ensures that the Oscar show will be an ABC tradition for 45 consecutive years," Academy president Tom Sherak said in a statement.

ABC television group president Anne Sweeny said that ABC has aired 46 of the annual telecasts honoring the best movies and performances of the year "so we're thrilled to announce that this tradition will continue."

The 83rd Academy Awards will be aired live from Hollywood on Sunday.

Last year, the ceremony was watched by 41.7 million Americans -- the largest TV audience in five years.

The Oscars are also watched by millions of people around the world under a separate agreement with Walt Disney International, which runs through 2014.