Academy Awards rise in ratings

UPDATED: Despite low expectations, the 81st Annual Academy Awards was TV's most-watched entertainment telecast in two years.

The Oscars averaged 36.3 million viewers and a 12.1 adults 18-49 rating, up 13% from last season's all-time low. 

With awards show telecasts in recent years typically getting hit with a morning-after double barrel of critic scorn and decreased ratings, Sunday's ceremony proved a pleasant exception on both counts.

An overhaul by first-time producers Lawrence Mark and Bill Condon seemed to largely please pundits, providing elegant staging and a quicker-feeling pace that helped offset a lack of suspense over the coronation of best picture “Slumdog Millionaire.”

ABC's red carpet coverage benefited from the increased interest, pulling 24.3 million viewers and a 7.2 rating, also up 13% from last year. "The Barbara Walters Special" drew an average audience of 11.6 million viewers and delivered a 3.2 rating and Jimmy Kimmel's post-awards special was up 16% (4.3 million).

Also Sunday: First a holiday weekend, then the Oscars, CBS' "The Amazing Race" (7.8 million viewers, 2.6 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and 6 share) can't catch a break. The second episode of the veteran reality series matched its modest premiere rating from last week.

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Also Sunday: First a holiday weekend, then the Oscars, CBS' "The Amazing Race" (7.8 million viewers, 2.6 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and 6 share) can't catch a break. The second episode of the veteran reality series matched its modest premiere rating from last week.

Comments

[Jesse]

Has the Oscars ever considered moving the show earlier like the super bowl which starts at 6 -- since it gets higher ratings early on? They really must move this show back to March. Not a lot of people had enough time nor were most of these movies playing in our local theaters to watch them before the ceremonies. If you don't get to see the movies nominated, you won't care as much who wins.

OSCARS WAKE UP AND MOVE THE SHOW TO MARCH!

[arovinsky]

Well, it was the first Sunday in a while that did not have some big sports event (Super Bowl, NBA All-Star game) so they might have captured the event-jonesers.
Hugh Jackman was a good host, and maybe people responded to the big musical number, but just as many went to the fridge.

The fact that Slumdog Millionaire, a real audience-pleaser, was the favorite -- and delivered -- helped, I'm sure.
The past winning actors doing tributes to the nominees was a good touch; it showed how their peers regard them.
Will Smith's part was well-presented, although there was a major boo-boo; Production Sound was lumped together with Post-Production as a Post-Production discipline. It would have been easy explain it properly, and I know Bill Condon knows the difference.

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[Gabe Videla]

This year's Academy Awards show was spectacular. Hugh Jackman was superb! I had no idea he could sing and dance as he did. Byonce was as beautiful as ever and Queen Latifa's performance of "I'll Be Seeing You" was performed with elegance. I admire performers who can do such things in a live setting with hundreds of millions of people watching all over the world. Cudos to all the performers/participants and to Bill Condon & Laurence Mark for a great show! "That's Entertainment" in the Hollywood tradition truly fit this year.

Gabe Videla
Independent Producer

[I am correct]

The actor tributes thing was some of the best unintentional comedy ever. How incredibly pompous and silly.

It deserves to be satirized extensively just like Sally Field's YOU REALLY LIKE ME speech always has been. I hope they do it next year.

[Ali]

Did no one notice that ABC cut their ratings at 11:25 which was before the Best Picture award was even given? Typically ratings fall as the evening goes on and since it aired beyond 11pm ABC decided to cut the rated portion after their last national commercial. I'm betting that if the telecast had been rated in its entirity that the Awards show would have been flat with last years show.