Oscars ratings plunge 9% to 17.86 million: lowest audience in four years

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The Academy Awards drew fewer viewers this year, dropping to 17.86 million across ABC and Hulu — a decline that could matter to networks and advertisers as the ceremony shifts toward streaming in the coming years. Despite remaining the biggest entertainment telecast so far in the 2025–26 season, the audience slid from last year’s numbers and underscores continuing shifts in how people watch live events.

Ratings dip despite season lead

The broadcast registered a 3.92 rating in the coveted 18–49 demographic and represented a roughly 9 percent fall from last year’s audience of about 19.7 million. Still, the Oscars outpaced other awards-night telecasts this season; the Grammys averaged about 14.41 million viewers and the Golden Globes roughly 8.66 million.

That context matters: the show’s overall reach has recovered since the pandemic-era low of roughly 10.4 million viewers in 2021, but this latest downturn signals the fragility of TV-sized audiences for even the industry’s flagship ceremony.

Who won, who performed — highlights from the show

Conan O’Brien returned as host for the telecast, which mixed awards, performances and tributes across its runtime. Notable outcomes included major wins for two widely discussed films and a live musical segment tied to the Best Animated Feature award.

Total viewers: 17.86 million (ABC + Hulu)

Year-over-year change: Down ~9% from 19.69 million in 2025

18–49 demo rating: 3.92

Top honors: Best Picture went to “One Battle After Another”; Paul Thomas Anderson won Best Director and the film also took Best Adapted Screenplay

Acting and writing awards: Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for “Sinners”; Ryan Coogler took Best Original Screenplay

Animation spotlight: Best Animated Feature was “KPop Demon Hunters,” which included a live performance of the song “Golden”

Tribute: The ceremony included a segment honoring the late Rob Reiner

The program’s mix of awards and spectacle kept it relevant in cultural conversation, but the ratings trend raises questions about long-term viewer engagement for awards shows.

What the numbers mean for broadcasters

From an industry perspective, audience declines can affect advertising revenue and negotiations over broadcast rights — especially as ownership of major live events becomes more fluid. ABC still claimed the largest entertainment telecast berth for the season, yet the landscape is changing: the Academy’s distribution will shift platforms in the latter half of the decade.

In a major rights development, the Oscars are scheduled to move to YouTube beginning in 2029 under a deal that extends at least through 2033. That transition reflects a broader trend of experimenting with streaming-first windows for marquee live events and could reshape how future audiences access the ceremony.

For advertisers, publishers and viewers alike, the combination of lower linear ratings and an approaching platform move raises practical questions about targeting, measurement and where cultural moments will be centered in coming years.

Looking ahead

One game-changing element to watch is whether streaming distribution will compensate for shrinking linear audiences by reaching different viewers or expanding global access. Another is how producers adapt the show itself — pacing, segments and cross-platform integration — to keep viewers engaged across devices.

The Academy’s ratings this year are a reminder that even long-standing television events must evolve to meet changing habits. The next few years, and the move to a streaming-first home, will provide a clearer picture of whether the Oscars can regain momentum or will have to redefine their value for the modern audience.