Here are the rules; can you find the applicable one in here?
http://www.oscars.org/77academyawards/rules/index.html
B.) In addition, one of the following two requirements must be met:
(1) The film must have theatrical runs in at least four additional cities, each engagement to be a minimum of two consecutive days. All screenings of the film must begin between 10:00 AM and midnight, and must commence by the day nominations are announced for the 2004 awards year. No television or internet transmission shall occur at any time prior to, or within the nine months following, the first day of the qualifying exhibition, and not before completing the minimum four-city two-day theatrical runs. Any documentary which is transmitted anywhere in the world in any version as a television or internet program within this period will automatically be disqualified from award eligibility.
OR
(2) If exhibition requirements of the above are not met [III.2.B.(1)] then the submitted film must be withheld from television and/or internet transmission until the day nominations are announced for the 2004 awards year. Should the film be nominated, it must be withheld from television and/or internet transmission for an additional nine months following the day nominations are announced.