This year’s Oscars telecast, which celebrated the independent film “Anora,” has attracted 19.7 million viewers in the United States, marking the largest audience for Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony in five years.
The broadcaster ABC revised Monday’s initial estimate of 18.1 million viewers to include those who watched on computers and mobile devices. The notable growth in viewership, up by 1 percent from the 2024 ceremony that drew 19.5 million for “Oppenheimer’s” best picture win, reflects renewed interest in the Academy Awards, especially among younger demographics.
The increase in viewership was particularly significant among adults under 50, with a 19 percent surge in viewership compared to the previous year, signaling that the show was able to engage a demographic that has increasingly turned to streaming and social media for entertainment.
The Oscars telecast, hosted for the first time by comedian Conan O’Brien, ran for nearly four hours and received positive reviews from critics.
Despite some technical issues reported by Hulu users, where the stream reportedly ended just before the announcement of best actress and best picture, the ceremony’s digital engagement was significant.
ABC reported that Sunday’s Oscars has generated 104.2 million social interactions, surpassing even major televised events like the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl. The resurgence in interest marks a shift in awards show viewership, which had been on a decline in recent years due to changing media consumption habits.
Anora
“Anora,” a film that tells the story of a New York sex worker who spontaneously marries the son of a Russian oligarch, emerged as the night’s biggest winner, securing five Academy Awards, including best picture. Sean Baker, the film’s director, won in multiple categories, including best director, original screenplay, and editing, matching a record set by Walt Disney in 1954 for the most Oscars won by an individual in a single year.
The film’s lead, Mikey Madison, was named best actress in a surprise win over Demi Moore, who had been the frontrunner for her performance in “The Substance.” Madison, expressing gratitude in her acceptance speech, acknowledged the sex worker community and emphasized her commitment to being an ally.
Despite its modest $6 million budget, “Anora” managed to capture the industry’s top honor, reaffirming the ability of independent cinema to compete with big-budget productions. While it has earned $40 million globally, its box office numbers remain modest in comparison to blockbuster films like “Wicked,” which has grossed $728 million, Reuters news report said.
Adrien Brody secured his second best actor Oscar for “The Brutalist,” a film about a Jewish immigrant architect chasing the American dream. The win marked another milestone in Brody’s career, as he had previously become the youngest-ever best actor winner at age 29 for “The Pianist.”
Zoe Saldana was honored as best supporting actress for her performance in “Emilia Perez,” a Spanish-language Netflix musical, while Kieran Culkin took home the best supporting actor award for “A Real Pain,” a film about two cousins reconnecting with their Polish heritage.
The documentary feature award went to “No Other Land,” which highlights Palestinian resistance to Israeli military actions in the West Bank. The animated feature Oscar was awarded to “Flow,” making it the first Latvian film to win in that category. “I’m Still Here,” a Brazilian film, won the best international feature award, marking another triumph for independent and foreign cinema at the ceremony.
As the highest-rated Oscars telecast in five years, this year’s ceremony reaffirmed the appeal of Hollywood’s biggest night, demonstrating the resilience of the Oscars despite evolving viewing habits on digital platforms.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
