Emmys hit record-low viewership, just 4.3 million tuned in
9:01 AM EST, January 17, 2024
The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, a prestigious ceremony honoring the best in television, faced a significant viewership challenge this year. Broadcast on Fox, the event attracted a mere 4.3 million viewers, marking a historic low for the awards show.
This figure represents a substantial decrease from the previous record low of 5.9 million viewers for NBC’s telecast in 2022. The ratings dip is part of a long-term trend of declining viewership for the Emmys, reflecting broader changes in how audiences consume television and entertainment.
The 2024 Emmys were contending with several external factors. Initially scheduled for September, the event was delayed by four months due to strikes in Hollywood, including those by writers and actors. This postponement set the stage for a direct viewership competition with a high-profile NFL playoff game and coverage of the Iowa caucuses, a significant event in the U.S. presidential race. The choice of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday for the ceremony also played a role in its diminished audience. Despite these challenges, the Emmys still managed to be Fox’s most-watched Monday unscripted telecast since June 2015, excluding sports.
The show itself, hosted by Anthony Anderson, was noted for its focus on celebrating television's past, featuring reunions and set recreations from iconic shows like "Cheers," "Martin," and "Grey’s Anatomy." Despite generally positive reviews for its content and execution, with some outlets describing it as "delightful" and praising its emotional depth and polish, the ceremony could not reverse the trend of falling viewership numbers. "Succession" and "The Bear" were among the night's top winners. In contrast, the CBS telecast of the Golden Globes held just eight days earlier, attracted 9.4 million viewers, more than double the audience of the Emmys.
The decline in Emmy viewership mirrors a broader trend in traditional television and award shows, as audiences increasingly turn to streaming and social media for entertainment. The last time the Emmys reached more than 10 million viewers was in 2018, and they have not come close to their peak audience of 21.8 million viewers in 2000. This shift raises questions about the future format and relevance of such ceremonies in an ever-evolving media landscape.
In conclusion, the 2024 Emmy Awards serve as a reflective point for the television industry, signaling changes in audience behavior and preferences. As the industry adapts to these shifts, it remains to be seen how award shows will evolve to maintain their significance and appeal in the digital era.
