Golden Globes Score 20 Million Viewers

NBC’s 2017 Golden Globes hauled in 20 million total viewers, according to Nielsen. That’s 1.5 million more than 2016, or up 8 percent year over year. Nice job, Jimmy Fallon.

We’ll save you the math: last year, the Ricky Gervais-hosted awards show brought in 18.5 million. In 2015, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler attracted 19.3 million.

The 2016 Gervais version landed a 5.5 rating in the key 18-49 demographic, which was down 5 percent from the Fey-Poehler double effort. Fallon’s turn scored a 5.6 rating, 2 percent better than last night.

Also Read: Ratings: Green Bay Packers Beat Giants, Golden Globes

Read the rest of broadcast primetime’s TV ratings here. And click this link for the earlier household ratings for the 74th Golden Globes.

The 2017 Globes mark just the third since 2004 to hit the impressive 20-million mark. Of course, the only thing any of us will remember from the event is “La La Land’s” sheer domination. That and the fact that Barb from “Stranger Things” is alive!

Major broadcast awards shows growing their audience is not a very common thing these days. The most-recent Oscars and CMAs each dropped 8 percent in total viewers, the Emmys were down 4 percent, and the Grammys slipped 1 percent. Plus, the People’s Choice Awards plummeted 30 percent, the ESPYs were down 28 percent, the AMAs slid 26 percent and the BBMAs declined 13 percent.

Golden Globes: 11 Best and Worst Moments, From Meryl Streep to 'Hidden Fences' (Photos)

Best: Jimmy Fallon's Broken Teleprompter

Host Jimmy Fallon was forced to think on his feet at the top of the show when the Teleprompter broke right as he began his opening monologue. That's the risk you run with a live event.
NBC
Worst: "Hidden Fences"

Both Michael Keaton and Jenna Bush (during NBC's red carpet pre-show) flubbed the title of "Hidden Figures," referring to it as "Hidden Fences." We're sure Denzel Washington and Viola Davis didn't mind.
NBC
Best: Ryan Gosling's Tribute to Brother-in-Law

In accepting his award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, "La La Land" star Ryan Gosling honored the memory of his wife's brother, who died after battling cancer.
Getty Images
Worst: Sofia Vergara "Anal" Joke

Sofia Vergara continued to play up her broken English for laughs. This time, she mispronounced "annual" as "anal" several times in introducing Sylvester Stallone's daughters as Miss Golden Globes.
NBC
Best: Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig Share Traumatic Movie Experiences

Before announcing the winner of Best Animated Film, Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig shared their first experience attending animated movies. Both kept the audience rolling with painfully emotional stories from their childhoods.
NBC
Worst: "Chastain and the Redmayne"

Sorry, Jimmy Fallon, but leave the rapping to the pros. Fallon introduced Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne, playing off their names in a quick spoof of the Cypress Hill classic "Insane in the Membrane."
Getty Images
Best: Debbie Reynolds & Carrie Fisher Tribute

Admit it, you choked up a little when the video of the two late, great actresses rolled with "You Made Me Love You" playing over it.
HBO
Best: Andrew Garfield and Ryan Reynolds Kiss

It almost slipped by, but eagle-eyed viewers caught the two actors locking lips after Ryan Gosling won for "La La Land." Whether or not tongue was involved is anybody's guess.
NBC
Worst: Casey Affleck's Acceptance Speech

Casey Affleck may have won for "Manchester by the Sea," but his speech was not awards-worthy. The younger Affleck looked in need of a nap (and a shave) as he delivered his speech on stage.
Getty Images
Best: Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep is the best by default, but she reminded us why when she accepted her Cecil B. Demille Award. In a passionate speech, Streep called out Donald Trump for his bullying tactics (without mentioning his name), as well as calling on Hollywood to support a free and independent press.
NBC
Best: Matt Damon Mocks "The Martian"

Matt Damon has always been able to laugh at himself. Before presenting an award, Damon laughingly reminisced about how he won in the comedy category last year for his role in "The Martian," a fact he said was funnier than anything that happened in "The Martian."
20th Century Fox

1 of 11

Relive the highlights and lowlights of the 2017 awards ceremony

Best: Jimmy Fallon's Broken Teleprompter

Host Jimmy Fallon was forced to think on his feet at the top of the show when the Teleprompter broke right as he began his opening monologue. That's the risk you run with a live event.

View In Gallery

Golden Globes: 11 Best and Worst Moments, From Meryl Streep to 'Hidden Fences' (Photos)

7DAYFREETRIAL

7
DAY
FREE
TRIAL