Los Angeles, CA – The 98th Academy Awards, held Sunday night, drew 17.86 million viewers across ABC and Hulu, marking the smallest audience for the prestigious awards show since 2022. Although the Oscars remain a significant cultural event, the 9% drop from last year’s 19.69 million viewers—which was the highest post-pandemic viewership—raises questions about the future of awards show television and the evolving media landscape. The decline also outpaced the recent trends seen at the Golden Globes and Grammy Awards, signaling a potential broader shift in viewing habits.
Despite a competitive field of nominees that included several box office successes—films that had earned over $100 million domestically—the broadcast struggled to maintain the momentum of 2023’s ceremony. This year’s show delivered a 3.92 rating among adults 18-49, a 14% decrease from the 4.54 rating achieved in 2025, according to Nielsen data. The numbers underscore a challenge facing live television events in an era dominated by streaming services and on-demand content.
The Broader Trend of Declining Awards Show Viewership
The Oscars’ ratings dip isn’t an isolated incident. Both the Golden Globes and the Grammy Awards experienced declines earlier this year. The Golden Globes saw a roughly 6% decrease in viewership compared to its 2025 broadcast, and the Grammy Awards followed suit with a similar 6% drop. This consistent downward trend suggests a systemic issue impacting live awards shows, rather than a problem specific to the Academy Awards. The shift in how audiences consume entertainment is undeniable, with more viewers opting for streaming and delayed viewing options.
The rise of streaming platforms like Hulu, which co-broadcast the Oscars this year, presents both opportunities and challenges. While offering wider accessibility, it also fragments viewership and makes it more difficult to capture a large, unified audience. The Academy has been experimenting with different broadcast strategies in recent years, attempting to balance traditional television viewership with the growing influence of streaming.
Technical Issues and Social Media Engagement
While television ratings declined, the 2026 Oscars saw a significant increase in social media engagement, with stats up 42%. This suggests that audiences are still interested in the event, but are choosing to experience it through different channels. The real-time commentary, reactions, and behind-the-scenes content shared on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram are becoming increasingly important components of the Oscars experience.
However, the telecast itself wasn’t without its issues. Several technical difficulties reportedly marred the live ceremony, a contrast to last year’s problems which were primarily focused on the live stream. These technical glitches, while not fully detailed in reports, could have contributed to viewer frustration and potentially impacted overall viewership. The Academy will likely review these issues to prevent similar problems in future broadcasts.
The Oscars Still Reign as a Primetime Event
Despite the ratings decline, the 98th Academy Awards still maintained its position as the most-watched primetime entertainment telecast of the season. This underscores the enduring cultural significance of the Oscars and its ability to draw a substantial audience, even in a fragmented media landscape. The event continues to generate significant buzz and media coverage, solidifying its status as a major Hollywood spectacle.
Looking Ahead: Adapting to a Changing Landscape
The Academy Awards, like many traditional television events, faces the challenge of adapting to a rapidly evolving media landscape. The increasing popularity of streaming services, the rise of social media, and changing viewer habits are all factors that contribute to the decline in traditional television viewership. The Academy will need to continue experimenting with new broadcast strategies and finding ways to engage audiences across multiple platforms.
One potential avenue for improvement could be a greater focus on creating shareable moments and interactive experiences that encourage social media engagement. Another could be exploring alternative broadcast formats or lengths to better suit the attention spans of modern viewers. The Academy may also consider further integrating streaming platforms into the broadcast, offering exclusive content or behind-the-scenes access to subscribers.
The future of the Oscars, and live awards shows in general, will likely depend on their ability to embrace change and adapt to the evolving needs and preferences of audiences. While the 2026 ceremony saw a dip in television ratings, the event’s continued cultural relevance and strong social media engagement suggest that it still has a significant role to play in the entertainment industry.
The Academy has not yet released a statement addressing the ratings decline, but it is expected to conduct a thorough review of the broadcast and explore potential strategies for improving viewership in future years. The next major event on the Academy’s calendar is the Governors Awards, scheduled for January 2027, where they will honor individuals for their contributions to the film industry.
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