Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesRatings for awards shows and big events have been impressive this year but it looks like the streak may have finally ended with last night’s Academy of Country Music Awards. Though the three-hour extravaganza from Las Vegas, Nev. won its timeslot in viewers (13.05 million) and adults 18-49 (2.1 rating/7 share), it appears to be this season’s first awards show to actually post declines: It was down 12 percent in viewers and down 16 percent in adults 18-49, according to ratings provided by CBS. (To be fair, last year’s ACMs were the highest since 1998 and ran against repeats.) Last night’s show, which was up against originals, still won its timeslot among homes, adults 25-54 (4.2/10) and adults 18-34 (2.1/07).
Ratings for kudos fests and big events have surged this year: It started with the Emmys last September, which rose 9 percent from the previous year, and stretched to the World Series on Fox. (Averaging 19.4 million, it was the most watched Fall Classic in five years.) Recording industry events like the Country Music Awards (up 7 percent) and the American Music Awards (up 17 percent), both in November, kept the momentum going into January, when the People’s Choice Awards and the Grammys saw substantial growth (up 15 percent and 36 percent, respectively). NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics got off to a golden start, with 129 million people watching the first four days. But the whopper was the record set by January’s Super Bowl: With 106.5 million viewers, it was the most watched television program ever.
Also, on March 7, the Academy Awards drew an average audience of 41.3 million viewers — Oscar’s best performance in five years.
Just wait ’til Twist of Kate comes on…that’s all I’m saying.
I used to watch some of the awards shows but there are simply TOO FRIGGIN MANY OF THEM NOW! Too many, and they last way too long! It’s simply become ridiculous, they’ve in so many ways become a mockery of themselves. I love country music, I love music in general really…but really??? CMAs, ACMAs, VMAs, AMAs and Grammys etc…seriously??? Don’t even get me started on the ones for actors!!!
I remember when awards shows used to be 2 hours in the ’80s, starting at 9 pm. But because more artists wanted to perform on them, they expanded them to 3 or 3 1/2 hours. That’s the predicament we’re in now with the longer shows. Some shows shouldn’t be 3 hours at all. They can be boring and dull in some stretches and they need to cut some stuff out!
…maybe if CBS hadn’t hogged it up with so danged many commercials and promos, i could’a stuck with it longer. turned it off after 45 minutes and the 10th viewing of the charlie sheen/big bang promo.
Thats why God created DVR’s
And by God, I mean TiVo
Reba looked wonderful as always but the shows are too long.
I am glad Taylor Swift did not win.
I think because there were new episodes of Desperate Housewives and other shows against the ACMs, that took a chunk of their audience. And don’t forget about the NBA basketball playoffs–I was watching that instead. I skipped this year’s ACMs, wasn’t interested. Also, because Taylor Swift was shut out of the awards, not winning anything, that scared viewers off. Taylor has won at every other music awards show except this year’s ACMs. Lastly, I think they should go back to Nashville. Las Vegas is too glitzy for country and Nashville is more of a music city.
Every award show where Taylor was the big winner had increased in ratings last year. Your loss ACMs, haha!
There were also quite a few people in Nashville watching the NHL playoffs..I’m an avid country fan, but hockey ruled the night for me. And in response to Matt..I’m also so glad Taylor didn’t win..its about time her streak came to an end, she can write music, but can sing worth a lick.
Down in ratings? Funny, when Taylor dominates the awards shows they see increases in ratings. 2009 CMA’s had over 17 million viewers, taylor swept there (and had two performances). 2010 Grammy’s had more viewers then idol for the first time ever. Again, Taylor had the big night winning the biggest prize of the night. Fast forward to 2010 ACM awards. Taylor had won many awards leading up to this for fearless and had already lost video to Miranda before the telecast. People probably knew it wasn’t going to be her night and guess what, ratings DOWN in an awards show for the first time in a while. I’ll bet Taylor will be winning soon again. LOL. But really she’s won enough for Fearless anyway (it’s the most award album in country music history). She should have won entertainer but I knew when Carrie opened the show half naked that was out. They kept showing Underwood all night long. I guess Idol paid them off well to bad she’s not a ratings champ.
Umberella, can you tell me how everyone knew BEFORE if Taylor was going to win or not win? That’s just stupid (in my opinion) of course.
I am a huge Reba fan and that is my main reason for watching. There are way too many commercials, but I dvded it and now I can watch what I want.
The Pre Show (and start of the show)was a pretty good indication. When “You Belong with Me” (the biggest hit of 2009) lost Video to Miranda Lambert’s none crossover hit it was all over the internet before the show started. When the show started it opened with Miranda and Carrie Underwood (half dressed underwood so I knew she’d get votes on that outfit alone…3 hours worth of votes…LOL). You could tell if anyone of the three was going to be shout out it would be Taylor. All the winners were sitting in the same little section. So it was very obvious at the start of the show, the ratings proved that. Whether people want to accept it or not, Taylor is still the hottest country act out there (just look at the album chart, other the lady A taylor is the biggest country seller and continues to dominate that chart)and to not include her in more of the show or at least give her a pre-show video award is just asking for a ratings plummet. I am happy that the ACM’s finally awarded Miranda but when you don’t award your most popular country female and exclude her in the way they did, ratings will suffer. That’s a fact just check the ratings for all the other shows every single one was up but this one.
Everyone acts like it was one person who voted and Taylor Swift didn’t win anything. The FANS voted Carried Entertainer of the Year. That says enough right there. Obviously Taylor didn’t have enough fans. And, in my opinion, Taylor’s songs always sound the same…different words, but same sound.
Does anyone know what all the booing was about when Miranda’s partner was making his “thank you’ speech?