"Oscars See Boost in Viewership with 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer,' but Fall Short of Blockbuster Ratings"

The 96th Academy Awards saw a slight increase in viewership, drawing an estimated 19.5 million people, up 4% from last year's numbers, but still far from pre-pandemic levels. The show's scheduling changes and nominations for popular films like "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" contributed to the uptick, with the viewership peaking in the final half hour. However, the Oscars still fell short of their historical viewership, reflecting the broader decline in broadcast television viewership due to the shift to streaming and other forms of media.