The 98th Academy Awards attracted 17.86 million viewers on ABC and Hulu, marking it as the least-watched Oscars broadcast since 2022. This viewership represents a 9% decline from the previous year’s 19.7 million viewers, which had been a peak over five years.
The broadcast recorded a 3.92 rating among adults aged 18-49, a decrease from the prior year’s 4.54 but an improvement over 2024’s 3.82 rating. Despite the decline, Disney reports that the 98th Academy Awards is the top-rated primetime entertainment telecast for the 2025-2026 season.
Hosted by Conan O’Brien, Sunday night’s broadcast outperformed the Golden Globes by doubling its total viewers, reaching 8.66 million, and achieving a 1.75 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic.
According to Nielsen’s big data plus panel ratings, the Oscars led as the top program on Sunday, both in terms of viewership and across all key demographic categories.
ABC also highlighted a 42.4% increase in social impressions this year, totaling 184,314,3702, with Academy social platforms reaching 21.6 million, up from 19.7 million last year. Video views surpassed 129 million throughout the night.
This marks the first decline in Oscars viewership in five years. The 2021 ceremony, held after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, recorded an all-time low of 10.4 million viewers. Subsequent years saw a rise in viewership, with 16.6 million in 2022, 18.8 million in 2023, 19.5 million in 2024, and reaching 19.7 million in 2025.
Conan O’Brien received positive reviews for his second year hosting the Oscars. Rob Mills, executive vice president of unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television, affirmed to Variety on Monday that the hosting position remains O’Brien’s choice, should he wish to continue.
“One Battle After Another” emerged as a big winner with six Oscars, including best picture and best director for Paul Thomas Anderson. “Sinners” also had a successful evening, securing four awards, with Michael B. Jordan winning best actor.
Disney’s agreement with the Oscars is set to continue with broadcasts on ABC and Hulu through 2027 and 2028. The Academy’s new partnership with YouTube will commence with the 101st ceremony in 2029, extending YouTube’s rights until at least 2033.
Source: Nielsen National Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings for 3/15/26. 2025-2026 Season (9/22/25-3/15/26). Comparisons based on Big Data Plus Panel Ratings. Talkwalker Social Content Ratings, based on linear episode-level interactions, U.S.-based activity Twitter Trending Archive
