The ABC broadcast of the 97th Academy Awards drew a record-low 7% decrease from last year’s ceremony, with 18.1 million viewers tuning in on Sunday. This marked the first time the ceremony saw a drop in viewership in four years. In contrast to previous years’ growth, which saw consecutive increases after the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event was impacted by technical difficulties during the Hulu livestream. The issues began when 34,000 users reported problems accessing the streamer on Downdetector just under an hour into the ceremony, with further disruptions occurring later in the night. Despite these setbacks, the Oscars remained the most-watched prime-time entertainment program of the 2024-2025 TV season and had the highest rating among adults aged 18-49, with a 3.92. The event also saw its highest-rated audience among younger viewers in five years, earning a 3.17 for adults aged 18-34. This year’s ceremony was hosted by Conan O’Brien, who received positive reviews, and featured winners such as Anora and Mikey Madison taking home top honors.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/oscars-ratings-2025-viewers-1236326364