The 98th Academy Awards, held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, saw a dip in traditional audience numbers. According to Nielsen data reported by TVLine and TheWrap, the ceremony drew approximately 17.9 million viewers across ABC and Hulu. This represents a 9% decrease from the 19.7 million viewers who tuned in for the 2025 broadcast, ending a four-year streak of ratings growth for Hollywood's biggest night.

Despite the drop in linear viewership, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences still has reason to celebrate. The telecast remains the top-rated primetime entertainment program of the 2025-2026 television season. While the 17.9 million figure is the lowest for the show since 2022, the broadcast successfully outpaced all other major awards ceremonies held earlier this year.

Digital trends told a different story than the television dials. While fewer people watched on traditional screens, The Los Angeles Times reports that social media engagement across platforms like X and TikTok saw a significant increase during the live event. Analysts from ScreenDaily suggest that while the Disney-owned network saw fewer live viewers, the cultural footprint of the Oscars remains a dominant force in the shifting media landscape.