Oscars to stick with late-February date in 2012

The Oscars are staying put – for now.

After flirting with a date change for the 2012 telecast, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences has opted to keep the show in its current late-February window. But the group said a move for 2013 remains under consideration.

Two weeks ago, The Times reported that the academy had formed a task force to consider moving the ceremony up to late January or early February, in part to shorten the awards season that includes several other shows. Moving up the Academy Awards, some at the group believed, could help stem a general decline in ratings for the telecast.

But in a statement Wednesday, the academy said it had decided against rearranging the current schedule.

“The academy’s Board of Governors has determined that the date of the 84th Academy Awards in 2012 will not be significantly earlier than the now-traditional last Sunday in February,” said the statement. “A different date still remains a possibility in subsequent years.”

One person familiar with the discussions among the board members but not authorized to speak on their behalf said there was not enough time before the 2011-12 awards season opens to research new television scheduling and hold discussions with the various nominating branches and movie studios.

Among the uncertainties for 2012 is the National Football League’s playoff schedule. The league, whose games typically gobble up the broadcast competition, faces a potential labor conflict that could disrupt scheduling.

steve.zeitchik@latimes.com