The 2025 Oscars will air on Hulu, but what about ABC?

As a die-hard movie buff who has spent countless hours glued to my screen, I couldn’t be more thrilled about the Oscars’ decision to stream their 2025 ceremony live on Hulu! This move is a game-changer for us viewers who prefer the comfort of our homes over crowded theaters.

The Oscars are making a massive change with the 2025 ceremony that alters how you watch them!

It’s common knowledge that television broadcast networks have seen a decline in viewership over the past ten years. The advent of streaming platforms has led to a decrease in large audience numbers for events such as the Super Bowl and awards ceremonies. Although the 2024 Emmy Awards showed an increase in viewers, it remains challenging because people no longer watch television live as much as they used to.

It seems clear that the Academy has taken notice of the situation. According to TVLine, the 97th Academy Awards, which will air on ABC on March 2, can also be live-streamed on Hulu. Since Disney owns both networks, it’s not surprising that viewers have the option to watch the awards ceremony across multiple platforms.

This year, the Oscars are experiencing a significant change. Previously, viewers could catch up with the ceremony the following day on Hulu, but the Academy has consistently chosen to air it live exclusively on ABC for viewing.

Nevertheless, both the Academy and ABC must acknowledge that streaming services represent the path forward, and embracing change is essential for the Oscars ceremony. Despite their long-standing popularity as an annual spectacle, the decline in viewership has become increasingly apparent.

Why switching to streaming is good for the Oscars

The number of people who watch the Oscars can significantly vary based on which films are nominated. If the nominees are highly popular like the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, viewership could reach almost 50 million viewers. Conversely, if the movies are less well-known, the number of viewers may decrease, but many will still tune in to catch any exciting moments.

Starting from its peak of 43.7 million viewers in 2014, the audience for the Oscars has gradually decreased due to several reasons. These include a lack of compelling nominated films and a general decline in live television viewership. The ratings dropped every year as a result. The lowest point was reached during the 2021 ceremony, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic and was moved to April with a smaller theater audience. Critics panned it, and fewer than 10 million people tuned in to watch.

The 2024 event saw a resurgence with approximately 19.5 million viewers, primarily due to the inclusion of popular movies like “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” among the nominees. It’s become common in Hollywood for many to express a preference for watching highlights online instead of live broadcasts, as the show is often criticized for being overly lengthy. However, people are eager to witness significant moments (like Will Smith’s altercation with Chris Rock in 2022) but less inclined to endure the entire event, which routinely exceeds three and a half hours.

As a fan, it’s not hard to see why the Oscars are joining the trend of live streaming events like the Grammys. With more and more people ditching cable for streaming services, it’s no wonder that this year could bring a surge in viewership for the Oscars. The anticipated nomination of the mega-hit movie, “Wicked,” along with Conan O’Brien taking over as host, is certainly something to look forward to. Although ABC might be concerned about losing some traditional viewers, the shift to Hulu could actually boost overall ratings, as more people are likely to tune in via streaming than through broadcast TV. If all goes well, this year’s Oscars could see its highest viewership in over a decade!

Therefore, the Oscars are venturing boldly towards the future, transitioning into the realm of streaming, making the upcoming ceremony an exciting milestone that could prove to be significant in years to come.

The 97th Academy Awards air Sunday, March 2, starting at 6:30/5:30c on ABC and Hulu. 

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2024-12-11 21:53