Oscars 2018 Had Worst Viewership Ever

The numbers are in, and this year's Academy Awards broadcast was a huge letdown in terms of total viewership. According to Entertainment Weekly, the 2018 Oscars telecast was the least-viewed in the prestigious awards show's history. This year, 26.5 million people tuned in, down significantly from 32.9 million last year. While the numbers are down, the Oscars remains TV's biggest awards show in terms of viewership, beating the Grammys and the Golden Globes, which pulled in audiences of around 19-20 million people this year.

The big-time dropoff this year could have something to do with its biggest winning films performing poorly at the box office. Best Picture winner The Shape of Water made only $57 million at the US box office since it came out in December. Gary Oldman won Best Actor for Darkest Hour, which made only $55 million domestic. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, whose actors Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell picked up wins for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively, made only $52 million in the US. I, Tonya, which starred Allison Janney who won Best Supporting Actress, has only made $28.9 million domestic.

This was the first Oscars since The New York Times' industry-shaking expose on Harvey Weinstein and his alleged sexual misconduct. Host Jimmy Kimmel commented on the Time'sUp and MeToo movements in his monologue, saying, "What happened with Harvey and what's happening all over was long over due. We can't let bad behaviour slide any more."

For more on the 90th Academy Awards, you can check out GameSpot's roundup of all the winners here.

Oscar Viewership For Past 20 Years:

2018: 26.5 million

2017: 32.9 million

2016: 34.4 million

2015: 37.2 million

2014: 43.7 million

2013: 40.3 million

2012: 39.3 million

2011: 37.9 million

2010: 41.7 million

2009: 36.3 million

2008: 32.0 million

2007: 40.1 million

2006: 38.9 million

2005: 42.1 million

2004: 43.5 million

2003: 33.0 million

2002: 41.7 million

2001: 42.9 million

2000: 46.3 million

1999: 45.6 million

1998: 55.2 million