Early ratings for the 2021 Oscars show the elite awards ceremony sank to all-time lows.
Roughly 9.85 million people watched the Academy Awards on Sunday evening, which is a nearly 60% drop compared to 2020. It pulled in a 1.9 rating for adults in the 18 to 49 age demographic, a 64.2% drop from the year prior.
2020 previously garnered the lowest ratings for the awards show, pulling in 23.6 million viewers. While 2019 garnered 29.6 million viewers.
The Oscars were bracing for dismal ratings even before the event, with advertisers tepid and ABC asking for less money to run 30-second advertisements.
One producer also warned earlier this month that viewers turn off their televisions when Hollywood stars begin discussing politics.
“One recent producer of the Oscars, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential metrics, said minute-by-minute post-show ratings analysis indicated that ‘vast swaths’ of people turned off their televisions when celebrities started to opine on politics,” the New York Times reported last Sunday.
The Oscars did feature some political advocacy, including actor Daniel Kaluuya praising the Black Panther Party and actor and writer Travon Free using his time on the stage to condemn police officers.
It also included historic wins, including the first woman of color, Chloe Zhao, winning the Oscar for best director for Nomadland.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Sports and awards shows have been hit with crippling ratings since last year as athletes and celebrities become more vocal about their political ideologies, including slamming former President Donald Trump and vocalizing support for the Marxist-led Black Lives Matter movement.
The Grammy Awards, for example, saw ratings hit a record low of 8.8 million viewers, which was down 53% from 2020. Some of the performances featured Black Lives Matter protesters demanding “justice” from President Joe Biden and a raunchy rendition of “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.
