The Academy Awards has decided not to introduce a new Oscar for "outstanding achievement in popular film" after the idea drew widespread backlash.

It was not immediately clear how the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was planning to use the popular film category, or how the new award would impact films that had already been released prior to the announcement.

"There has been a wide range of reactions to the introduction of a new award, and we recognise the need for further discussion with our members," Academy chief executive Dawn Hudson said in a statement on Thursday, announcing the suspension of the category, which was set to be included in the February 2019 awards show.

“We have made changes to the Oscars over the years — including this year — and we will continue to evolve while also respecting the incredible legacy of the last 90 years," the statement continued.

The Academy had reportedly devised the new category as part of an initiative to revive ratings for the annual awards show, which received just 26.5m viewers in March 2018, the lowest in its 90-year history, Reuters reported.

Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Show all 62 1 /62 Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Producer J. Miles Dale (L), director Guillermo del Toro (at microphone) and cast/crew accept Best Picture for 'The Shape of Water' onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood Getty Images Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards uillermo del Toro and Sally Hawkins take the stage to accept the Oscar for Best Picture for "The Shape of Water" from presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway Reuters Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway take the stage to present the Oscar for Best Picture REUTERS Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Actresses Sally Hawkins, Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie and Meryl Streep embrace after Frances McDormand's Best Actress acceptance speech Lucas Jackson/Reuters Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Frances McDormand wins the Best Actress Oscar for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Reuters Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Actors Jodie Foster (L) and Jennifer Lawrence speak onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre Getty Images Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards British actor Gary Oldman delivers a speech after he won the Oscar for Best Actor in "Darkest Hour" during the 90th Annual Academy Awards show on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Actor Emma Stone speaks onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre Getty Images Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards David Malinowski and Armie Hammer attend the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre Getty Images Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Composer Alexandre Desplat (R), winner of the Best Original Score award for 'The Shape of Water,' motions in the press room to a video feed of director Guillermo del Toro accepting the Best Director award Getty Images Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Guillermo del Toro accepts the Oscar for Best Director for "The Shape of Water" from presenter Emma Stone (R) REUTERS Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Alexandre Desplat, winner of Best Original Score for the film The Shape of Water, is congratulated by the film's stars Sally Hawkins (L) and Octavia Spencer (R) REUTERS Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Presenter Emma Stone walks on stage REUTERS Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney attend the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre Getty Images Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Call Me By Your Name stars Armie Hammer (L) and Timothee Chalamet embrace during the Oscars show REUTERS Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Greta Gerwig gets touched up during the ad break at the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre Getty Images Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Jordan Peele accepts the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for "Get Out." 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Blige performs onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood Getty Images Oscars 2018: memorable moments from the 90th Academy Awards Actor Taraji P. 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However, the organisation failed to disclose how it would determine eligibility for popular films, leading many critics to assume box office smash hits like Black Panther and other superhero movies would fare more favourably than smaller art house projects.

Instead, the Academy announced Thursday it would limit the upcoming show to just three hours, moving six to eight awards presentations into commercial breaks in an effort to reduce the overall length of the broadcast.

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In its statement, the organisation admit that "implementing any new awards nine months into the year creates challenges for films that have already been released".