The Grammys hit a low note last night, when the annual CBS special drew a 5.4 rating among adults 18-49. That’s the worst ever for the annual awards show.
Sunday’s 62nd Grammys averaged 18.7 million total viewers, down 6% from last year. The demo number declined 3.6% from 2019.
Last year’s Grammys, which aired on Feb. 10, 2019, drew 19.9 million total viewers, besting its own predecessor by about 100,000 overall audience members. It settled for a 5.6 rating in the key adults 18-49 demographic, however, which was down 5% from the previous year and a new record low.
The 2018 version’s 5.9 rating had previously been the show’s record low.
The 2006 Grammy Awards got 17 million viewers flat, which is still the show’s lowest tally.
Alicia Keys returned as the host for “Music’s Biggest Night” last night. She also hosted in 2019; James Corden held the stage in 2018.
Keys and Boyz II Men opened Sunday’s show with a tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who died earlier that day in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. All nine people on board the helicopter were killed including Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
The Grammys were held at the Staples Center, which was Bryant’s home for his storied career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Find the 2020 Grammy winners here.
See how the rest of broadcast television fared in Sunday ratings here.