Emmys Draw 11.38 Million Total Viewers, Even With Last Year’s All-Time Low
CBS joins ABC in the awards show’s basement, but avoids breaking the (bad) record
Tony Maglio | September 18, 2017 @ 10:47 AM
Last Updated: September 18, 2017 @ 11:21 AM
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The 69th annual Emmy Awards pulled in 11.38 million total viewers last night, according to Nielsen time zone adjusted fast affiliate ratings. That’s even with last year’s all-time low.
Among adults 18-49, generally the advertiser-coveted demographic, these Emmys had a 2.5 rating. The show got a 2.8 in 2016, meaning the year over year decline was 10.7 percent.
Earlier today, it looked like the 2017 Emmy Awards were on pace to break the record that nobody wants — the one for fewest overall eyeballs. CBS’ awards show was down 2.4 percent in metered market ratings from the prior year, but it adjusted up in terms of the annual comparison.
Stephen Colbert hosted Sunday’s broadcast of the 69th Emmys. In 2016, Jimmy Kimmel had the honors over on ABC.
Sunday belonged to drama newcomer “The Handmaid’s Tale” and comedy staple “Veep,” which took the night’s top awards in their respective genres. See the entire list of winners here.
Emmys: Biggest Snubs and Surprises, From 'Stranger Things' to Ann Dowd (Photos)
"The Handmaid's Tale" won big at the 2017 Emmy Awards on Sunday, while "Stranger Things" was not so lucky.
Netlfix, Hulu, Getty Images
Surprise: Ann Dowd ("The Handmaid's Tale")
The outcome of the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama category dropped some jaws this year, given the fierce competition. Ann Dowd, also nominated in 2017 for her guest-actress role in "The Leftovers," was seen as a surprise pick over such prominent names as Chrissy Metz, Thandie Newton and Millie Bobby Brown.
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Snub: "Stranger Things"
The Netflix hit came into the Emmys with 18 nominations and was seen as a possible contender for top drama series. But while it prevailed in five below-the-line categories, it was snubbed in all the major categories.
Netflix
Surprise: "Black Mirror: San Junipero"
There's no question that "Black Mirror" is having a moment, but it was certainly up against tough competition for Outstanding Television Movie, notably star-filled "The Wizard of Lies" and last year's winner, "Sherlock." This was one of two prizes in the night for "Black Mirror."
Netflix
Snub: "Feud: Bette and Joan"
The FX project's 18 nominations led the way for all limited series this year, but while it took home two trophies at last weekend's Creative Arts ceremony, the Ryan Murphy-created show lost all 10 of the categories it was up for on Sunday.
TheWrap
Surprise: Donald Glover ("Atlanta")
Donald Glover topped two-time winner Jeffrey Tambor ("Transparent") for his first Emmy, which takes the sting off "Atlanta" missing out on upsetting "Veep" for best comedy.
Getty Images
Snub: "Westworld"
The HBO series led the way with 22 nominations but lost in all of its categories on Sunday, making do with five Creative Arts wins.
HBO
Surprise: "The Handmaid's Tale"
Outstanding Drama Series was likely the most-debated category heading into the ceremony, without any clear frontrunner. But the fact that "The Handmaid's Maid" topped such popular shows as "Stranger Things" and "This Is Us" made for quite a memorable win.
Hulu
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It was not a big night for “Westworld” or “Feud: Bette and Joan”
"The Handmaid's Tale" won big at the 2017 Emmy Awards on Sunday, while "Stranger Things" was not so lucky.