The 96th Academy Awards, aired on ABC, saw a notable uptick in viewership, drawing an estimated 19.5 million viewers, marking the highest numbers for the Oscars in four years. Despite the rise, this increase represents only a modest 4% bump from last year’s estimated audience of 18.7 million, according to ABC’s released figures on Monday.
Nevertheless, the Oscars managed to surpass recent editions of other major awards shows, including the Grammys in February, which garnered 16.9 million viewers, and the Golden Globes and Emmy Awards in January, both with notably lower viewership.
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Best Moment
One factor contributing to the Oscars’ improved ratings was the strategic scheduling change, with the show commencing an hour earlier. Additionally, this year’s nominations featured several blockbuster hits that resonated with audiences, notably “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.”
The viewership peaked during the final half-hour, featuring memorable moments such as Ryan Gosling’s performance of “I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie,” Cillian Murphy’s first Oscar win for best actor, Christopher Nolan clinching best director for “Oppenheimer,” and Al Pacino presenting the film with the coveted best picture Oscar in an unconventional manner.
Emma Stone’s win for best actress, especially in a tightly contested category against “Killers of the Flower Moon’s” Lily Gladstone, also contributed to the heightened interest, with nearly 22 million viewers witnessing the momentous occasion.
In comparison to previous years, the Oscars have experienced fluctuations in viewership, with a peak of 55 million viewers in 1998 for “Titanic” and a recent low of 9.85 million during the pandemic-affected show in 2021. The rebound in viewership began in 2022, following the incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock, known as “the slap,” with 16.6 million viewers tuning in.
For decades, the Academy Awards stood as the second-most viewed television event annually, trailing only the Super Bowl. Prior to 2018, Oscars broadcasts consistently exceeded 30 million viewers, as documented by Nielsen data. The pinnacle was reached in 1998, when a staggering 55 million viewers tuned in to witness “Titanic” sweep the awards.
While factors such as the popularity of nominated films and cultural events play a role, the broader decline in broadcast television viewership, coupled with the rise of streaming platforms, has reshaped audience behavior, impacting the viewership of live events like the Oscars.
Key Points of this News
- Viewership Increase: The 2024 Oscars saw a rise in viewership, attracting an estimated 19.5 million viewers, the highest in four years.
- Modest Growth: Despite the increase, the rise from last year’s audience of 18.7 million was only 4%.
- Outperforming Other Awards Shows: The Oscars surpassed recent editions of major awards shows like the Grammys, Golden Globes, and Emmy Awards in terms of viewership.
- Factors Contributing to Ratings: Strategic scheduling changes and nominations of blockbuster hits like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” were attributed to the improved ratings.
- Peak Moments: The telecast peaked during the final half-hour, featuring notable moments such as Ryan Gosling’s performance and Emma Stone’s win for best actress.
- Comparative Viewership Trends: The Oscars have experienced fluctuating viewership over the years, with a peak of 55 million viewers in 1998 and a recent low of 9.85 million in 2021 during the pandemic-affected show.
- Cultural Impact: While factors like nominated films and cultural events influence viewership, broader declines in broadcast TV viewership and the rise of streaming platforms have reshaped audience behavior.
