The 97th Academy Awards saw a slight increase in viewership compared to last year, with 19.7 million viewers tuning in, according to Nielsen’s updated report released on Tuesday afternoon. The Oscars’ first-ever live stream on Hulu appeared to be the key factor in this increase.
Nielsen initially reported lower viewership numbers, but the final total includes viewers who watched on devices beyond televisions, such as cellphones and personal computers. This marks a significant shift, with viewers now able to watch the Oscars on major streamers like Hulu.
Disney, which owns Hulu, made the live show available on its platform, contributing to the increase in younger demographic viewership. The streaming snags experienced by some viewers did resolve by mid-telecast, but technical issues persisted towards the end of the program.
Despite the issues, the Hulu live stream turned out to be a net win for the Oscars. ABC has broadcast the event since 1976, but its viewership has shrunk in the streaming era. The Academy Awards’ ratings have been on a decline since 2014, with the pandemic causing a low point in 2021.
The show’s recent ratings increase was attributed to the “Barbenheimer” juggernaut and crowd-pleasing bits from comedians Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, and Bowen Yang. The Oscars garnered 104 million total social interactions, surpassing other TV programs of the season.
However, the Academy still faces challenges, including access issues with films. Many nominees were not box-office darlings, highlighting studios’ prioritization of theatrical releases over streaming.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/03/04/oscars-ratings-decline-97th-academy-awards