The 98th Academy Awards, held last Sunday, captivated 17.86 million viewers across ABC and Hulu, marking a significant decline in viewership compared to the previous year. This number represents a 9% drop from the 19.69 million viewers who watched the 2022 broadcast, making this edition the least watched since 2022.
And the Oscar for worst audience goes to…
Despite its low performance, the Oscar gala managed to surpass the audience of the Golden Globes, doubling the total number of viewers who tuned into the event. This situation highlights the audience’s preference for the Oscar ceremony over other film galas, despite the constant fluctuations in audience figures in the streaming era.
The ceremony was hosted by the popular comedian Conan O’Brien, who brought his characteristic humor to the event. O’Brien’s selection as host not only attracted comedy fans but also aimed to revitalize interest in a ceremony that has faced criticism in recent years for its pace and format. Reactions on social media have been mixed, but overall, the effort of the production team to keep the audience’s attention throughout the gala was highlighted.
The audience figures for the Oscar Awards have been affected over the years by various factors, including changes in viewer preferences, the rise of streaming platforms, and the availability of online content. Thus, the industry watches with interest the viewing trends in light of the constant evolution of entertainment and the fierce competition among platforms and events.