Oscars 2025: A night of surprises and record-breaking viewership
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Mar 05, 2025, 19:09 IST
( Image credit : TIL Creatives )
Highlight of the story: The 97th Academy Awards were marked by a surprising rise in viewership to 19.7 million, driven by smaller films like 'Anora' and a show-opening performance from 'Wicked.' Conan O'Brien hosted the event, which experienced a technical glitch during the climax, but still outperformed the Grammys, reaffirming the Oscars' status as Hollywood's premier awards show.
The 97th Academy Awards proved that even smaller films could command massive attention, drawing an estimated 19.7 million viewers—the highest in five years. Despite the dominance of less mainstream films like "Anora," which secured five Oscars including Best Picture, the ceremony still experienced a slight increase in viewership compared to last year’s 19.5 million, when blockbusters like "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie" dominated the conversation.
One major factor in this year’s ratings boost was the presence of "Wicked," a film that earned 10 nominations and opened the show with a powerful performance by its stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The film later took home awards for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design. Additionally, the telecast, hosted by Conan O’Brien, saw a significant uptick in engagement from the 18-to-49 demographic, with many younger viewers opting to stream the event on mobile devices and laptops.
Although the Oscars continue their upward trajectory from the record-low 9.85 million viewers during the pandemic-affected 2021 ceremony, they remain far from their late-20th-century peak. In 1998, when "Titanic" swept the awards, the show garnered a staggering 55 million viewers. Until 2018, the Oscars consistently drew over 30 million viewers, but a sharp decline followed, reflecting shifting media consumption habits and the decline of appointment television.
A technical mishap added unexpected drama to this year's event, as Hulu’s first-ever livestream of the ceremony cut off just before the final moments. Many viewers missed Mikey Madison’s Best Actress win and the climactic announcement of "Anora" as Best Picture, leading to frustration among online audiences.
Despite these challenges, the Oscars remain the premier awards event in entertainment. This year’s nearly 20 million viewers far outpaced the 15.4 million who tuned in for the Grammys, reaffirming the Academy Awards’ status as Hollywood’s biggest night. While the industry continues to adapt to new viewing trends, one thing remains certain: the Oscars are still a spectacle that captures global attention.