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Oscars telecast ratings fall 7% to 18m viewers

After three consecutive years of growth, viewership fell this year after 2024’s Barbenheimer buzz

After three consecutive years of growth, viewership slipped to just over 18m in the US, across network ABC and the Oscars’ new online partner, Hulu – whose stream was dogged by problems. The ratings – which have been in steep decline for almost a decade thanks to the advent of the internet – usually correlate pretty closely to the mainstream appeal of those films tipped to win the big awards. This year’s show opened with an extended medley of hits from Wicked, one of the two blockbusters up for best picture, sung by its Oscar-nominated stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

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