Oscars viewership rises for first time in five years, despite lack of host

However, the ratings are still the second-smallest on record

ABC‘s broadcast of the Oscars rose for the first time in five years, up by more than 10 per cent from 2018’s all-time low.

The ceremony averaged 29.6m viewers, a 11.5 per cent gain from last year, despite the lack of host. 2018 marked an all-time low for the awards ceremony, with 26.54m viewers and a 6.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, this year also scored a 7.7 rating among adults 18-49, a 13 per cent gain over last year. The broadcast was the most-watched entertainment telecast since 2017’s Oscars and the highest-rated non-sports programme since the post-Super Bowl This is Us in 2018.

However, the ratings for this year’s Oscars are still the second-smallest on record. Prior to last year, the previous low was in 2008, with just over 32m viewers.

In an effort to draw more people in, this year’s show clocked in at around 3 hours, 13 minutes – 41 minutes less than last year’s show.

Winners at this year’s ceremony included Olivia Colman for The Favourite, Rami Malek for Bohemian Rhapsody, Regina King for If Beale Street Could Talk and Mahershala Ali whose film Green Book won Best Picture. Alfonso Cuarón took home Best Director for his Netflix drama Roma.

You can find a full list of winners here.