Preliminary ratings from Nielsen showed The Oscars averaged 34.3 million viewers, a decline of 6 percent from comparable 2015 data.
The final audience total, to be issued by Nielsen on Tuesday, is on track to be the lowest rated Oscars telecast since 2008. That year?s ceremony, hosted by Jon Stewart, was watched by 32 million viewers, an all-time low for the Academy Awards. One of the lowest grossing films to win for best picture, ?No Country For Old Men" was honored.
Ratings for The Oscars have generally been on the decline since the last time Rock hosted the program in 2005. Increased program choices provided by online streaming services and a crowded televised awards season (The Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards proceed The Oscars) are the main culprits. Based on past Oscars ratings history, a lack of major blockbuster box office hits among the best picture nominees did not help.
Less clear is the impact of the prolonged public debate sparked by the lack of a non-white nominee in any of the acting categories for the second straight year.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-oscar-ratings-20160229-story.html
