By Lisa RichwineLOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The recent broadcast of the Oscars, which shone a spotlight on the indie film “Anora,” pulled in an estimated 18.1 million viewers in the United States through television and streaming platforms, as per data disclosed by the broadcaster ABC on Monday. The audience for this prestigious event in Hollywood witnessed a slight decline of 7% compared to the previous year’s ceremony, where 19.5 million individuals tuned in to witness the biographical blockbuster “Oppenheimer” clinching the best picture award. Among the coveted demographic of adults under 50, viewership noticed a modest 3% increase from the preceding year, ABC confirmed.
“Anora,” an unorthodox fairy tale revolving around a sex worker and the offspring of a Russian tycoon, emerged victorious by securing the best picture accolade and four other distinctions at the event. While the film raked in around $40 million in global box office revenues, “Oppenheimer” amassed a staggering $976 million. Notably, popular comedian Conan O’Brien took on the hosting duties for the Oscars for the first time, receiving praise from television critics for his performance. The broadcast, spanning nearly four hours, predominantly steered clear of political subjects. Owen Gleiberman of Variety lauded O’Brien’s hosting abilities, describing his debut as a host as a fine balance between sharp wit and warmth, likening him to a strong contender against Jimmy Kimmel.
The Oscars, presented live on Walt Disney’s ABC network and simultaneously streamed on Hulu, encountered some technical glitches according to a few viewers, with reports suggesting the stream abruptly ended just before the unveiling of the winners in the best actress and best picture categories. The viewership of acclaimed awards ceremonies in Hollywood has witnessed a downward trend in recent times, attributed to the shift of audiences from traditional television to streaming services and social media platforms. Sunday’s ceremony managed to yield a remarkable 104.2 million social interactions, surpassing the engagement levels of music’s Grammy Awards and the National Football League’s Super Bowl, as highlighted by ABC.
The most-watched telecast of the Academy Awards dates back to 1998, during the era of the box office sensation “Titanic.” Over 57 million individuals were captivated by the event that year. In stark contrast, in 2021, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Oscar ratings plummeted to a historic low with only 10.5 million viewers tuning in. (Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Shri Navaratnam)
