TV Ratings: Oscars Slump to All-Time Low

The Oscars joined a slew of other awards shows in falling to all-time ratings lows.

The 93rd Academy Awards drew 10.4 million viewers and a 2.12 rating among adults 18-49 on Sunday (a small upward adjustment from 9.85 million and 1.9 in the early numbers). That’s a steep drop from last year’s 23.64 million viewers and 5.3 in the key ad demographic — both of which were the previous all-time lows.

The 56 percent decline in total viewers is in keeping with those for the Grammys (which fell 51 percent), Golden Globes (62 percent) and SAG Awards (52 percent) in recent months. In the 18-49 demo, the Oscars were down by 60 percent, also in line with other awards shows.

ABC’s telecast, produced by Steven Soderbergh, Stacey Sher and Jesse Collins from downtown L.A.’s Union Station, had a small in-person audience but was much different in scope than previous shows. Reviews of the show were very mixed, with The Hollywood Reporter critic Daniel Fienberg noting that the producers’ gamble in making best actor the final category fell flat when an absent Anthony Hopkins won for The Father and the show ended somewhat abruptly.

Despite the low numbers compared to past Oscars, Sunday’s broadcast drew ABC’s biggest total audience in at least six months — an NBA Finals game in October came in at 8.89 million.

The Oscars also held on to their usual spot as the most watched awards show, though for the second straight year the Grammys had the higher 18-49 rating (2.28, and pending updates for the Oscars).

Bookmark THR.com/Ratings for more ratings news and numbers.

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