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Oscars Viewership Dips Nine Percent
18 Mar
Summary
- Oscars live viewership in the US dropped by nine percent this year.
- Michael B. Jordan won best actor for his roles in "Sinners."
- The 98th Academy Awards faced competition from major sporting events.
Live viewership for the Oscars in the United States saw a nine percent decrease from last year, with roughly 17.9 million people watching the 98th Academy Awards. The telecast, hosted by Conan O'Brien, honored films like "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners." Michael B. Jordan earned the best actor award for his dual performance in "Sinners," overcoming expectations that Timothee Chalamet might win for "Marty Supreme."
The Academy Awards broadcast, once a television giant, has seen a significant decline from its peak audiences. Viewership fell to 10.4 million in 2021 but had been gradually recovering until this year's dip. This year's audience numbers also faced challenges from major sporting events, including the World Baseball Classic semi-finals.
This downward trend in viewership aligns with similar declines observed for other major awards ceremonies, such as the Golden Globes and the Grammys. Looking ahead, the Academy Awards are set to undergo a significant change in broadcast rights, with the Oscars transitioning to exclusively stream on YouTube starting in 2029.
