Against a backdrop of controversy and protests surrounding the lack of minority nominees at this year’s Oscars, overnight ratings for Sunday’s ceremonies on ABC were down to what appears to be the show’s lowest number in eight years. In Nielsen’s metered market overnights, which include 56 of the nation’s largest markets, the “88th Annual Academy Awards” averaged a still-big 23.4 household rating/36 share from 8:30 to midnight ET, down 6% from last year’s 25.0/38 and 16% below the 10-year high of 27.9/41 from two years ago.
Source: Oscars Ratings on ABC Down to 8-Year Low in the Overnights | Variety