The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 33.04 million people over its length , which was a 21 % decrease from the previous year 's ceremony . An estimated 62.55 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards . The show also earned lower Nielsen ratings compared to the previous ceremony with 20.58 % of households watching over a 40.34 share . In addition , it garnered a lower 1849 demo rating with a 12.55 rating over a 35.37 share among viewers in that demographic . Many media outlets observed that cable news coverage of the Iraq war diverted home viewers ' attention from the ceremony and therefore contributed to the lower ratings . Until 2018 , it earned the lowest viewership for an Academy Award telecast since figures were compiled beginning with the 46th ceremony in 1974 and the lowest ratings for any broadcast since Nielsen Media Research kept track of such data since the 33rd ceremony in 1961
previous year 's ceremony
74th Academy Awards
75th Academy Awards