The Oscars are facing a viewership slump. The 98th Academy Awards pulled in just 17.9 million viewers across ABC and Hulu, down 9% from last year and hitting the lowest ratings since 2022.
Even host Conan O’Brien couldn’t turn the tide. Returning for his second year, the late-night star delivered jokes, banter, and the occasional awkward moment. Best Picture was awarded to One Battle After Another.
Despite the on-stage spectacle, viewers remained disengaged. Many seemed more absorbed in their phones than in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s biggest night.
Even host Conan O’Brien couldn’t save the night.
Social media emerged as the true winner. The 98th Oscars generated 184 million impressions, a 42% jump from 2025, as memes, clips, and hot takes flooded Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. While audiences are skipping the live broadcast, they’re still consuming highlights in bite-sized digital form.
The decline in TV viewership reflects a broader trend. Awards shows are struggling as audiences shift to streaming platforms and short-form content.
For context, the 1998 Oscars drew 57 million viewers—illustrating how dramatically live broadcasts have dropped. Even pre-pandemic ceremonies regularly pulled significantly higher numbers.
The show ran over three hours, featuring dozens of awards, musical performances, and tributes. Critics argue that long runtimes and slow pacing have turned viewers off, as modern audiences are accustomed to faster, on-demand entertainment.
Looking ahead, the Academy plans to move the Oscars from ABC to YouTube in 2029. The goal is to make the ceremony more accessible to younger viewers who prefer scrolling to sitting through a traditional broadcast.
The show ran over three hours, featuring dozens of awards, musical performances, and tributes. Industry insiders say the decline in viewership was not unexpected. Traditional awards broadcasts now compete with streaming releases, social media, video games, and a host of other distractions.
Experts warn that unless the Oscars adapt to changing viewing habits, ratings could continue to fall.
Still, the night delivered memorable moments. Acceptance speeches made headlines, musical performances lit up the stage, and for diehard film fans, the Oscars remain the ultimate celebration of Hollywood glamour—even if most audiences are catching it secondhand on their phones.
The message is clear: the Oscars are evolving. Live TV is no longer the main stage—social media is.
The next few years will determine whether Hollywood’s biggest night can stay relevant in a world of shorter attention spans and smaller screens.
