And that’s counting the live-streaming
Sunday’s Grammys settled for 8.8 million total viewers across multiple platforms. That tally is down a full 10 million viewers from last year’s telecast (18.8 million total viewers), and basically halves the annual CBS awards show’s previous record-low audience (16.9 million total viewers back in 2006).
Last night’s primetime special, hosted by “The Daily Show’s” Trevor Noah (pictured above) had a 2.1 rating among adults 18-49, according to Nielsen. The prior low was set last year, when the Grammy Awards received a 5.4 rating in the key demo.

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Click Here Already a subscriber? LoginEven inclusive of CBS, CBS.com, the CBS app and Paramount+ (the former CBS All Access, which was expanded a few weeks ago), the overall Grammys audience shrunk 53% year to year. In the main demo, the decline was -61%.
Also Read: Grammys Producers Already Know 2021 Show Will Set Record-Low Ratings - Here's Why
On the plus side, the 2021 Grammys did outdraw the 2021 Golden Globes, so there’s that.
Find Sunday’s complete list of winners here. Find the entire (electronically maintained) history of Grammys viewership here.
In an interview with Variety, Grammys executive producer Ben Winston predicted his show’s ratings would be down 40%. Turns out, that was optimistic.
“Since we’re talking to Variety, I hope the story the next day won’t be ‘Ratings Down by 40%!'” he said, “because they will be. We all know that television is changing, and I think [the Grammys’] streaming numbers, digital engagement and viewing online will be up, and those eyes matter to me just as much as the demo of the network.”
Though Winston will probably not be happy with our headline, it should provide him some comfort that he is not alone in the struggle. Two weeks prior to the 63rd Grammys, NBC’s Golden Globes shed 63% of total viewers from the previous year, plummeting from 18.4 million overall TV viewers to 6.9 million. Its 1.4 rating in the key demo was down 68% from 2020’s 4.7. Both, as you might imagine, were all-time lows for the annual HFPA (Hollywood Foreign Press Association) special.
All 62 Grammy Best New Artist Winners, From The Beatles to Adele to Milli Vanilli (Photos)
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The Grammys have honored some major stars early in their careers -- and also some head-scratchers (Debby Boone over Andy Gibb and Foreigner?)
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1960: Bobby Darin • Also nominated: Edd Byrnes; Johnny Restivo; Mark Murphy; Mavis Rivers
A smart choice of future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer behind such hits as "Splish Splash" and "Mack the Knife."
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1961: Bob Newhart • Also nominated: Joanie Sommers; Leontyne Price; Miriam Makeba; The Brothers Four
The three-time Grammy-winning comedian went on to become a huge TV star.
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1962: Peter Nero • Also nominated: Ann-Margret; Dick Gregory; The Lettermen; Timi Yuro
The pianist and pops conductor had a long and distinguished career.
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1963: Robert Goulet • Also nominated: Allan Sherman; Peter, Paul and Mary; The Four Seasons; The New Christy Minstrels; Vaughn Meader
How could Grammy voters pass over Frankie Valli's The Four Seaons or the folk legends Peter, Paul and Mary?
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1964: The Swingle Singers • Also nominated: John Gary; Trini Lopez; The J's with Jamie; Vikki Carr
The classical chorus wins over singer-guitarist Trini Lopez? Um, OK.
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1965: The Beatles • Also nominated: The Beatles
Antonio Carlos Jobim; Astrud Gilberto; Morgana King; Petula ClarkYeah, we've heard of these guys.
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1966: Tom Jones •
Also nominated: Glenn Yarbrough; Herman's Hermits; Horst Jankowski; Marilyn Maye; Sonny & Cher; The ByrdsThe Welsh singer seemed old-fashioned even at the time -- especially compared to the Byrds.
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1968: Bobbie Gentry • Also nominated: Harpers Bizarre; Jefferson Airplane; Lana Cantrell; The 5th Dimension
(No award given in 1967.) The country star was one of the genre's first to write her own material.
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1969: José Feliciano • Also nominated: Cream; Gary Puckett & The Union Gap; Jeannie C. Riley; O. C. Smith
Feliz Navidad!
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1970: Crosby, Stills & Nash • Also nominated: Chicago; Led Zeppelin; Oliver; The Neon Philharmonic
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1971: The Carpenters • Also nominated: Anne Murray; Elton John; Melba Moore; The Partridge Family
Poor Elton. At least the Partridge Family didn't win.
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1972: Carly Simon • Also nominated: Bill Withers; Chase; Emerson, Lake & Palmer; Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
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1973: America • Also nominated: Eagles; Harry Chapin; John Prine; Loggins and Messina
The Eagles were robbed!
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1974: Bette Midler • Also nominated: Barry White; Eumir Deodato; Marie Osmond; Maureen McGovern
Bette over Barry White? Interesting...
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1975: Marvin Hamlisch • Also nominated: Bad Company; David Essex; Graham Central Station; Johnny Bristol; Phoebe Snow
Another old-fashioned choice.
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1976: Natalie Cole • Also nominated: Amazing Rhythm Aces; Brecker Brothers; KC and the Sunshine Band; Morris Albert
Unforgettable.
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1977: Starland Vocal Band • Also nominated: Boston; Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band; The Brothers Johnson; Wild Cherry
Who?
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1978: Debby Boone • Also nominated: Andy Gibb; Foreigner; Shaun Cassidy; Stephen Bishop
Another boring, safe choice that snubs legends like Gibb and Foreigner. Doesn't feel like the first time the Grammys have gone the wrong way.
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1979: A Taste of Honey • Also nominated: Chris Rea; Elvis Costello; The Cars; Toto
Really?! You pass over Elvis Costello and The Cars for the "Boogie Oogie Oogie" duo?
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1980: Rickie Lee Jones • Also nominated: Dire Straits; Robin Williams; The Blues Brothers; The Knack
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1981: Christopher Cross • Also nominated: Amy Holland; Irene Cara; Robbie Dupree; The Pretenders
The "Sailing" guy bests the Pretenders? Take me away.
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1982: Sheena Easton • Also nominated: Adam and the Ants; James Ingram; Luther Vandross; The Go-Go's
Love Sheena, but Luther and the G0-Gos made a bigger impact.
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1983: Men at Work • Also nominated: Asia; Jennifer Holliday; Stray Cats; The Human League
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1984: Culture Club • Also nominated: Big Country; Eurythmics; Men Without Hats; Musical Youth
Boy George vs. Annie Lennox.
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1985: Cyndi Lauper • Also nominated: Corey Hart; Frankie Goes to Hollywood; Sheila E.; The Judds
The Grammys got this one right.
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1986: Sade • Also nominated: A-ha; Freddie Jackson; Katrina and the Waves; Julian Lennon
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1987: Bruce Hornsby and the Range • Also nominated: Glass Tiger; Nu Shooz; Simply Red; Timbuk3
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1988: Jody Watley • Also nominated: Breakfast Club; Cutting Crew; Terence Trent D'Arby; Swing Out Sister
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1989: Tracy Chapman • Also nominated: Rick Astley; Take 6; Toni Childs; Vanessa L. Williams
At least the Grammys didn't Rick-roll Tracy Chapman.
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1990: [Milli Vanilli] • Also nomianted: Indigo Girls; Neneh Cherry; Soul II Soul; Tone Lōc
Granted, the Grammys rescinded the award after the pop duo Milli Vanilli were exposed as lip-syncers of other vocalists. But the fact that they beat great artists like Indigo Girls and Tone Lōc in the first place is embarrassing.
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1991: Mariah Carey • Also nominated: Lisa Stansfield; The Black Crowes; The Kentucky Headhunters; Wilson Phillips
One year after the Milli Vanilli debacle, Grammy voters got it right.
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1992: Marc Cohn • Also nominated: Boyz II Men; C+C Music Factory; Color Me Badd; Seal
Another vanilla choice in a year in which Boys II Men and Seal were both contenders.
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1993: Arrested Development • Also nominated: Billy Ray Cyrus; Jon Secada; Kris Kross; Sophie B. Hawkins
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1994: Toni Braxton • Also nominated: Belly; Blind Melon; Digable Planets; SWV
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1995: Sheryl Crow • Also nominated: Ace of Base; Counting Crows; Crash Test Dummies; Green Day
Green Day gets no love.
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1996: Hootie & the Blowfish • Also nominated: Alanis Morissette; Brandy; Joan Osborne; Shania Twain
Guess Darius Rucker's band name didn't effectively warn Grammy voters that it would not withstand the test of time.
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1997: LeAnn Rimes • Also nominated: Garbage; Jewel; No Doubt; The Tony Rich Project
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1998: Paula Cole • Also nominated: Erykah Badu; Fiona Apple; Hanson; Puff Daddy
I don't wanna wait... for my career to be outshone.
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1999: Lauryn Hill • Also nominated: Andrea Bocelli; Backstreet Boys; Dixie Chicks; Natalie Imbruglia
What a really strong year for new artists.
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2000: Christina Aguilera • Also nominated: Britney Spears; Kid Rock; Macy Gray; Susan Tedeschi
Xtina beat Britney!?
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2001: Shelby Lynne • Also nominated: Brad Paisley; Jill Scott; Papa Roach; Sisqó
Lynne wins on her sixth studio album -- and beats future country superstar Brad Paisley?
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2002: Alicia Keys • Also nominated: David Gray; India.Arie; Linkin Park; Nelly Furtado
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2003: Norah Jones • Also nominated: Ashanti; Avril Lavigne; John Mayer; Michelle Branch
Whatever happened to Norah Jones?
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2004: Evanescence • Also nominated: 50 Cent; Fountains of Wayne; Heather Headley; Sean Paul
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2005: Maroon 5 • Also nominated: Gretchen; Wilson; Los Lonely Boys; Joss Stone; Kanye West
It's a wonder Yeezy didn't storm the stage to demand a recount.
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2006: John Legend • Also nominated: Ciara; Fall Out Boy; Keane; Sugarland
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2007: Carrie Underwood • Also nominated: Chris Brown; Corinne Bailey Rae; Imogen Heap; James Blunt
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2008: Amy Winehouse • Also nominated: Feist; Ledisi; Paramore; Taylor Swift
Sorry, TSwift. Hard to argue with this choice of a gone-too-soon legend.
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2009: Adele • Also nominated: Duffy, Jonas Brothers, Jazmine Sullivan, Lady Antebellum
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2010: Zac Brown Band • Also nominated: Keri Hilson, MGMT, Silversun Pickups, The Ting Tings
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2011: Esperanza Spalding • Also nominated: Drake, Florence and the Machine, Justin Bieber, Mumford & Sons
Another head-scratcher.
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2012: Bon Iver • Also nominated: J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Skrillex, The Band Perry
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2013: Fun • Also nominated: Alabama Shakes, Hunter Hayes, Frank Ocean, The Lumineers
Does anyone even remember Fun?
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2014: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis • Also nominated: Ed Sheeran, James Blake, Kacey Musgraves, Kendrick Lamar
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2015: Sam Smith • Also nominated: Bastille, Brandy Clark, Haim, Iggy Azalea
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2016: Meghan Trainor • Also nominated: Courtney Barnett, James Bay, Tori Kelly, Sam Hunt
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2017: Chance the Rapper • Also nominated: Kelsea Ballerini, The Chainsmokers, Maren Morris, Anderson Paak
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2018: Alessia Cara • Also nominated: Khalid; Lil Uzi Vert; Julia Michaels; SZA
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2019: Dua Lipa • Also nominated: Chloe x Halle; Luke Combs; Greta Van Fleet; H.E.R.; Margo Price; Bebe Rexha; Jorja Smith
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2020: Billie Eilish • Also nominated: Black Pumas; Lil Nas X; Lizzo; Maggie Rogers; Rosalía; Tank and the Bangas; Yola
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2021: Megan Thee Stallion • Also nominated: Ingrid Andress, Phoebe Bridgers, Chika, Noah Cyrus, D Smoke, Doja Cat and Kaytranada
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2022: Olivia Rodrigo • The "Driver's License" singer was the obvious choice in a field that included Arooj Aftam, Jimmie Allen, Baby Keem, Finneas, Glass Animals, Japanese Breakfast, The Kid Laroi, Arlo Parks and Saweetie.
The Grammys have honored some major stars early in their careers — and also some head-scratchers (Fun over Frank Ocean and the Lumineers?)
The Grammys have honored some major stars early in their careers -- and also some head-scratchers (Debby Boone over Andy Gibb and Foreigner?)
Tony Maglio
TV Editor • tony.maglio@thewrap.com • Twitter: @tonymaglio