© AFP
About 15.4 million people watched an Oscars ceremony full of dramaan increase from last year and a boost for an awards show whose audience has been in steep decline.
Preliminary numbers were released by Walt Disney Co.’s ABC Network, which aired the show, and could change Tuesday when final results are released. The figures represent a 56% improvement over the previous year, when a more austere version of the event drew some 10 million viewers, according to the network.
Sunday night’s broadcast is perhaps best remembered for actor Will Smith’s hit on comedian Chris Rock live on television minutes before he won the Oscar for best actor.
The incident overshadowed a milestone in Hollywood history, the first time a movie released largely online won best picture. “CODA,” which took home the top prize, premiered on the Apple TV+ streaming service.
The record 55.2 million viewers came in 1998, when the box office hit “Titanic” was the big winner.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which runs the awards show, handed out eight trophies before the main event in an attempt to shorten the live ceremony. However, the ceremony lasted for more than three hours. Other attempts to reach a broader audience included more presenters from the world of sports and music.