Oscars Telecast Sees 9 Percent Viewership Decrease

The 98th Academy Awards drew just under 17.9 million viewers per Nielsen data, the lowest audience since 2022.

Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson and producer Sara Murphy accept the award for Best Picture for "One Battle After Another" alongside cast and crew onstage during the 98th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on March 15, 2026. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

The 98th annual Academy Awards saw a notable dip in television viewership this year, as ratings fell 9 percent.

According to Nielsen data released by The Walt Disney Co. on March 17, the Oscars drew just under 17.9 million viewers across ABC and streaming on Hulu, a decline from 19.7 million the previous year.