The Oscars are moving back to theirtraditional March slot in 2006 to avoid a potential scheduling conflict with the winterOlympics.

The 78th Academy Awards were originally set for Feb 26 but Academychiefs switched to Mar 5 after learning that NBC's US broadcast of the winterOlympics closing ceremony in Turin, Italy, would clash with ABC's Oscarcoverage.

The awards ceremony moved toa Feb 29 slot earlier this year and next year's 77th Academy Awardswill take place on Feb 27.

It is understood that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences ispleased with the February berth and will return to it for 2007 and beyond.