Oscar ratings grew in 2024, here's how they've fared through the years

James Powel, USA TODAY
Updated ·1 min read
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A large Oscars statue is seen on the red carpet as preparations continue for the 96th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles.
A large Oscars statue is seen on the red carpet as preparations continue for the 96th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles.

Update: this story has been updated with 2024 ratings

Neilsen released final television ratings for the broadcast of the 96th Academy Awards Tuesday, revealing that almost 19.5 million viewers tuned in to see "Oppenheimer" take home Best Picture.

Viewership grew about 4% compared to the 2023 show while the rating — the percentage of households tuned into the program — held steady at 9.9. Nielsen estimated that 11.1% of viewers were in the key 18-34 demo for a 3.82 demo-rating.

The 2024 broadcast fell short of the 2020 broadcast which drew over 23.6 million viewers.

Sunday's show served as a temperature taking moment for Hollywood on the heels of strikes and the boost from the "Barbenhiemer" phenomenon.

Viewership and ratings for the broadcast rebounded in 2022 and 2023 after a record low in 2021. However, both were significantly lower than the mid-2010's. The last time the show drew more than 40 million viewers was 2014, when "12 Years a Slave" won Best Picture, according to Nielsen.

The show's record viewership came in 1998 when "Titanic" dominated the awards and drew in over 55 million viewers. The only other time the broadcast had over 50 million viewers came in 1983 when "Gandhi" won Best Picture.

Oscar broadcast ratings

The Academy Awards broadcasts in 1966 and 1961 were aired during pre-scheduled weeks in which Nielsen was not measuring TV viewership.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oscars ratings through the years: Academy Awards viewers grow in 2024

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