The Academy Awards Hit 18.1 Million Viewers, Down 7% From Last Year

The 97th Academy Awards on ABC and Hulu garnered just under 18.1 million viewers, marking a 7% decrease from the previous year. However, it was still the most-watched entertainment telecast of the season and the highest-rated recent Oscars in several key demographics. Technical difficulties during the Hulu livestream may have impacted overall viewership, along with the nearly four-hour runtime. The ceremony, hosted by a well-reviewed Conan O’Brien, saw Anora emerge as the big winner of the night, and led to a successful lead-in for the season launch of American Idol, attracting 5.9 million viewers. (Variety)