OFF THE TOP OSCARS NIELSEN RATINGS HIT ALL-TIME LOW

U.S. ratings for the Oscars plummeted to a new low, reports Nielsen. The audience for ABC’S broadcast averaged 10.4 million viewers, well below last year’s final tally of 23.6 million. The slide reflects a trend among live awards shows during the pandemic. Audiences for September’s Emmys and the Grammy Awards in March also drew their lowest audiences ever. Ratings for the Golden Globes in February fell 60 per cent from a year earlier. Hoping to draw viewers while adhering to pandemic safety measures, this year’s producers tried a few new things. The awards were broadcast in a more intimate setting with a smaller audience. Acceptance speeches ran longer and the usual comedy and musical performances were scrapped. In addition, instead of saving the best picture presentation for last, producers broke with custom and ended with best actor. The honour went to Anthony Hopkins for his role in The Father. Variety