The 97th Academy Awards marked a milestone in viewership, reaching its highest ratings in five years for total viewers and the coveted 18-49 demographic. Hosted by Conan O’Brien at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, the Oscars ceremony aired live on ABC, streamed on Hulu, and was broadcast in more than 200 territories worldwide.
The night saw Kieran Culkin take home Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain, among other memorable moments.
This year’s broadcast drew 19.69 million total viewers, achieving its best numbers since 2020. Among adults aged 18 to 49, the telecast scored a 4.54 rating, reflecting a significant boost in engagement. The surge was particularly evident in younger audiences, with an impressive 28% increase in adults aged 18 to 34 compared to last year, making it the strongest performance in that category in six years.
The Oscars also stood out as the top primetime entertainment telecast of the 2024-2025 season in both total viewers and the key 18-49 demographic. The show dominated social media, generating 104.2 million total interactions, making it the most talked-about television event of the season.
For the first time on record, it outperformed both The GRAMMYS (102.2 million interactions) and The Super Bowl (62.4 million), underscoring its cultural relevance across digital platforms.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences experienced a significant surge in engagement, with social interactions across all platforms rising by 82% compared to the previous year. The organization amassed over 64 million likes, comments, and shares, reflecting a renewed interest in the event.
ESPN and ABC’s fourth annual Oscars Pick’em contest, which ran from January 23 to March 2, set new participation records. The contest attracted 110,012 unique visitors, an 8% increase from the previous year, and logged 122,161 entries, up 11% year over year.
With these numbers, the 97th Academy Awards reaffirmed its place as one of the most-watched and socially engaged entertainment events of the year, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Hollywood’s biggest night.
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