The ratings for the Academy Awards on Sunday night were down double-digits, according to reports on Monday.
The LA Times also suggested that streaming online video could be a factor in the drop in viewership. Major awards events that not only count the Oscars among them but also the Super Bowl and the Grammys suffered a drop in ratings.
In 2014, according to Deadline, more than 43 million people tuned in for the Oscars, which is when “12 Years a Slave” won Best Picture.
Some commentators said that the Oscars’ numbers are down due to political posturing.
“The Tinseltown elite genuinely hate the people they expect will pay to see their movies and watch their TV shows,” Gainor said. “Why do we support them?”
During the ABC broadcast, host Jimmy Kimmel took shots at President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and others. “We don’t make films like ‘Call Me By Your Name’ for money,” Kimmel said at one point. “We make them to upset Mike Pence.”
“The Shape of Water” won Best Picture in 2018.