The Oscars are introducing a new category for outstanding achievement in popular film.

It's among three changes which were approved on Tuesday by the Academy's board of governors.

It means films which are popular with the public but less so with critics will be more likely to win an Oscar.

Superhero films such as Black Panther are among those which could now stand a much better chance of being recognised during awards season.

The changes were revealed in an email sent to members on Wednesday from John Bailey, the new president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and chief executive Dawn Hudson.

It also announced that the 2020 presentation would be aired at a much earlier date than expected, in February of that year.

The changes follow an uneasy period for the Oscars, after the four-hour long 90th Academy Awards attracted only 26.5 million viewers, a drop of 19% since the previous year and the first time in a decade ratings had fallen below 30 million.

Source: Press Release