Ratings: 82nd Annual Academy Awards Most Watched Entertainment Telecast Since 2005

41.3 million average viewers last night.

Press release from ABC:

Sunday, March 7, 2010 – Based on Nielsen’s True Fast National Ratings

ABC’s Broadcast of the “82nd Annual Academy Awards” Qualifies

As Television’s Most-Watched Entertainment Telecast Since 2005

Posting its 2nd Straight Year of Gains, “Oscars” Surge Year to Year by 5.0 Million Viewers and by 8% in Adults 18-49, the Show’s Most-Watched Telecast in 5 Years

“Barbara Walters Special” Draws Biggest Overall Audience Since 2002

“2010 Oscars” Reach 70.0 Million Unique Viewers Across the United States

The “82nd Annual Academy Awards” (8:30-11:39 p.m.)

ABC’s broadcast of the “82nd Annual Academy Awards” attracted an average audience of 41.3 million Total Viewers and posted a 13.1 rating among Adults 18-49, based on Nielsen’s “Fast National” ratings. The “82nd Annual Academy Awards” registered as TV’s most-watched entertainment telecast since 2005 – since 2/27/05.

* Posting its 2nd straight year of gains, the “Oscars” surged year to year by 5.0 million viewers (41.3 million vs. 36.3 million) and by 8% in Adults 18-49 (13.1 rating vs. 12.1 rating), the show’s most-watched telecast overall in 5 years – since 2005.

* ABC’s “82nd Annual Academy Awards” (41.3 million) towered above other awards shows this season, outdrawing the 2009 “Emmy Awards” by 27.8 million viewers (13.5 million), the 2010 “Golden Globe Awards” by 24.3 million viewers (17.0 million) and the 2010 “Grammy Awards” by 15.4 million viewers (25.9 million).

* ABC’s “82nd Annual Academy Awards” reached 70.0 million unique television viewers across the U.S. – unduplicated Viewers 2+ watching 6-minutes or more during its telecast.

Source TVbytheNumbers