Nielsen data released by ABC officials reveals that the 91st annual Academy Awards drew a 12 per cent increase in viewers in comparison to the 2018 show.
- Feb 26, 2019
AceShowbiz - The hostless Oscars landed a big ratings bump in America with a 12 per cent rise in viewers from last year's (2018) record low.
The 91st annual Academy Awards drew an average audience of 29.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen data released by ABC officials on Monday, February 25. That's way up on last year, but down over three million from 2017 figures.
The new ratings is a big win for Oscars bosses, who had to abandon a traditional host for the first time in over 30 years after comedian Kevin Hart stepped down in December (2018).
Many critics gave the ceremony, which ran just under 40 minutes shorter than last year's show, the thumbs up, insisting the lack of a host made the show flow effortlessly.
Rockers Queen opened the prizegiving with a brief two-song performance, and there were also live highlights from Bette Midler, Jennifer Hudson, and "A Star is Born" castmates Lady GaGa and Bradley Cooper.
"Green Book" and "Roma" were the night's big winners - "Green Book" picked up the Best Picture prize and a Best Supporting Actor honour for Mahershala Ali, while "Roma"'s Alfonso Cuaron was named Best Director and picked up the Best Cinematography and Best Foreign Film gongs.
