ABC nets 19.5 million viewers with Oscars broadcast

ABC’s Oscars broadcast on Sunday drew nearly 20 million viewers, more than last year’s total.

By moving the start time an hour earlier, ABC drew 19.5 million viewers during the telecast. according to According to data from Nielsen Media Research, viewership increased by 1 million people from last year’s ceremony.

This year’s Oscar buzz was driven by the blockbuster hits of “Oppenheimer,” which won Best Picture, and “Barbie,” which won Best Original Song.

Billie Eilish, Ramy Youssef and more used the large audience to voice their support for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, and host Jimmy Kimmel spoke to Katie He made headlines with his jab at Sen. Britt (R-Ala.). President Biden’s State of the Union address and her Republican rebuttal to former President Trump.

Live sports and entertainment events remain the biggest driver of audience growth for the world’s largest media companies.

This year’s Grammy Awards on CBS brought in 16.9 million viewers, the most for the show since 2020.