The Oscars are struggling to keep audiences glued to the screen. The 98th Academy Awards drew just 17.9 million viewers on ABC and Hulu. That’s down 9% from last year and marks the lowest audience since 2022.
Even host Conan O’Brien could not save the night. The late-night comic returned for his second year, bringing jokes, banter and the occasional awkward moment. Best Picture went to One Battle After Another.
The spectacle on stage did not translate into action on the remote. Fans seemed more interested in their phones than in the stars.
Social media was the real winner. The ceremony generated 184 million impressions, up 42% from 2025. Memes, clips and hot takes flooded Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. While viewers are skipping the broadcast, they are still watching in bite-sized digital form.
The decline in TV audiences is part of a larger trend. Awards shows have struggled as viewers turn to streaming platforms and short-form content.
For perspective, the 1998 Oscars drew 57 million viewers, highlighting just how far live broadcasts have fallen. Even pre-pandemic ceremonies regularly pulled higher numbers.
The show ran over three hours and featured dozens of awards, musical performances and tributes.
Some critics argue that long runtimes, combined with slow pacing, have turned viewers off. Modern audiences are used to faster entertainment and instant gratification.
The Academy is already looking ahead. The Oscars will move from ABC to YouTube in 2029. The hope is that younger viewers, who prefer scrolling over sitting still, will find the show more accessible online.
Industry insiders say the decline is not unexpected. Traditional awards broadcasts now compete with streaming releases, social media, video games and other distractions.
Experts warn that unless the Oscars adapt to new viewing habits, ratings could continue to slide.
Despite the ratings drop, the night still delivered memorable moments. Acceptance speeches sparked viral headlines.
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Musical performances lit up the stage. And for diehard film fans, the Oscars remain the ultimate celebration of Hollywood glamour, even if most viewers are watching it secondhand on their phones.
The message is clear: the Oscars are evolving. Live TV is no longer the main stage. Social media is.
And the next few years will show whether Hollywood’s biggest night can stay relevant in a world where attention spans are shorter and screens are smaller.
