According to Nielsen, the ratings for the Oscars a year ago fell 16% to an average viewership of 36.6 million. The 88th Academy Awards will be presented this weekend. Walt Disney Co.’s (NYSE: DIS) ABC will televise the event, which is based on nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Oscars may have lost some of its relevance, and this year’s ratings will be telling.
A few things likely will affect the broadcast. The host is a draw. This year it will be comedian Chris Rock. Another factor is the popularity of the films that have been nominated and their stars. It is impossible to predict whether “Mad Max: Fury Road” or “The Revenant” will be big draws, or popular stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence.
Least predictable but perhaps most important to the size of the audience is a large wave of criticism about the total dominance of white nominees. A viewer boycott because of this could significantly diminish the viewership numbers.
Oscar needs a good audience this year but may well not get one.
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