Sunday night’s Oscars telecast drew an average 43 million total viewers, according to preliminary numbers, making it the most-watched entertainment telecast since the May 2004 finale of “Friends.”
In the 18-49 demographic most important to viewers, the Oscars telecast — airing on ABC — had a 12.9 rating.
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Compared to last year’s Oscars, which had “Family Guy” boss Seth MacFarlane as host, the Ellen DeGeneres-hosted ceremony was up 6 percent in total viewers, making for the third consecutive year that the Academy Awards have increased their viewership.
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“Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Oscars,” meanwhile, had its best numbers in the special’s history, jumping 22 percent in total viewers over last year’s special with just under 7 million, and 20 percent in the 18-49 demographic with 2.4 million viewers in the demo.