Host-less Oscars ratings are up 14.3% over last year, based on early numbers

Deadline

ABC and the Academy might see a small rebound from last year, according to preliminary numbers. "Even though right now, last night’s Oscars are the second lowest ever, getting near those kind of 2008 audience numbers would prove a win for the much criticized AMPAS and ABC," explains Dominic Patten. "Especially as the time conscious net had to quell nervous advertisers this year after the Oscars fell beneath 32 million viewers and a 21.0 meter market rating for the first time last year."