80 th Annual Academy Awards Least Watched Since 1974
ABC Telecast the Least-Viewed Oscars Since Nielsen Started Tracking Event in 1974
By Marisa Guthrie -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/25/2008 12:42:00 PM
The 80th Annual Academy Awards telecast Sunday night on ABC pulled in a paltry 32 million viewers, averaging a 10.7 rating among adults 18-49, according to Nielsen Media Research estimates from 56 metered markets.
That was the least viewed Oscar cast since Nielsen started tracking the kudos-fest in 1974. The 2003 telecast, during which Chicago took home the best-picture honor, was the previous all-time low, clocking in at 33 million viewers.
The ceremony, hosted by Jon Stewart, was a hastily cobbled-together affair thanks to the 100-day Writers Guild of America work stoppage.
Although Stewart made a few WGA-themed jokes early in the telecast, the strike did not loom large over the evening. Rather, it was the dark nature of many of the nominated films and eventual winner No Country for Old Men that likely cast a pall of viewer interest in the telecast. Joel and Ethan Cohen’s bloody adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel took home statuettes for best picture, as well as producing, directing and adapted screenplay.
Juno, the lone feel-good best-picture nominee, settled for best original screenplay for Diablo Cody, who dedicated her award to the writers.
The telecast was down more than 20% compared with last year’s ceremony, when Martin Scorsese finally won an Oscar for directing The Departed. The 2007 ceremony was watched by more than 40 million people, averaging a 27.7 rating/42 share.
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The math to such a low turnout is pretty simple depressing movies, filled with self-absorbed fools equals no viewership. Hopefully, the viewing public has had enough of these idiots and will demand something decent be made before the hand out their hard earned money.
No Thanks - 2/26/2008 9:07:00 AM EST -
Yes it was boring. BUT I LOVE THE AA and have watched
it since I was a small child, I AM 65. I like to
hear the speeches, just not every-name-of-everybody
the winners know. But They could shorten AND You
are right, the songs could be shown on film from the
MOVIE. I think the "prestige" of the award deserves
some comment from all WINNERS....no entertaining. I also think there should be an award
for COMEDY PERFORMANCE ADDED, AND you won't like this
but an AWARD given to PAST MOVIES THAT SHOULD HAVE WON, and that time has proved were GREAT MOVIES.
WHY DO THEY LIKE BLOODY, ANGRY KILLERS ? AND I think they should give the public a choice and announce it
for the top SIX awards.
L.Wolfe MARYLAND
LOU WOLFE - 2/25/2008 11:45:00 PM EST -
Maybe the general public has finally had enough of the garbage Hollywood keeps cranking out. It's time for GOOD movies again. I don't care what the critics said about "No Country For Old Men" & "There Will Be Blood". I had no reason to put down $9.00 of my hard earned money to see this stuff. How about some good, clean, meaningful movies. We don't need to see someone getting murdered, or someone doing drugs, or some teenager getting pregnant. Take a look outside your door, it's right there. Hollywood, take a lesson and watch "The Ultimate Gift". Now there's a movie!
Charles Russo - 2/25/2008 5:28:00 PM EST -
This is no surprise to me. I even told my wife I think it would be the lowest rated Oscar show ever. Last night's show was the most boring oscar show I've ever seen. They've got it down to a good format for length, but they need to work on it some more. How about eliminating any live performances except for openings! Edit song nominees down and match them to scenes from their movies. Eliminate all the presenters' pathetic banter. Add more informative stuff. Something's gotta be done with the lifetime achievement award. If you can't change or kill the lifetime achievement award, push it all the way to the end of the show. All the same retrospective fluff every year is getting tedious.
matt headley - 2/25/2008 5:10:00 PM EST
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