Abysmal Oscars TV ratings revealed after snorefest awards ceremony

The Oscars are struggling to keep audiences glued to the screen.The 98th Academy Awards drew just 17.9 million viewers on ABC and Hulu.

That’s down 9% from last year and marks the lowest audience since 2022.Even host Conan O’Brien could not save the night.The late-night comic returned for his second year, bringing jokes, banter and the occasional awkward moment.

Best Picture went to One Battle After Another.The spectacle on stage did not translate into action on the remote.

Fans seemed more interested in their phones than in the stars.Social media was the real winner.The ceremony generated 184 million impressions, up 42% from 2025.

Memes, clips and hot takes flooded Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.While viewers are skipping the broadcast, they are still watching in bite-sized digital form.The decline in TV audiences is part of a larger trend.

Awards shows have struggled as viewers turn to streaming platforms and short-form content.For perspective, the 1998 Oscars drew 57 million viewers, highlighting just how far live broadcasts have fallen.

Even pre-pandemic ceremonies regularly pulled higher numbers.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story The show ran over three hours and featured dozens of awards, musical performances and tributes.Some critics argue that long runtimes, combined with slow pacing, have turned viewers off.

Modern audiences are used to faster entertainment and instant gratification.The Academy is already looking ahead.The Oscars will move from ABC to YouTube in 2029.

The hope is that younger viewers, who prefer scrolling over sitting still, will find the show more accessible online.Industry insiders say the decline is not unexpected.Traditional awards broadcasts now compete with streaming releases, social media, video games and othe...