Grammy ratings fall to record low, continuing an awards-show trend

Gary Levin, USA TODAY
·1 min read

The 63rd annual Grammy Awards slumped to less than half of last year's total, continuing a pandemic-fueled slump for live awards shows, once considered one of the few remnants of must-see broadcast television.

The three hour, 43 minute telecast averaged a record-low 9.2 million viewers on Sunday, according to final Nielsen figures. That's down 51% from 18.7 million for last year's telecast on Jan. 26, well before the pandemic had spread widely enough to force a lockdown and social distancing. (The new figure includes those who streamed the show on CBS.com or new streaming service Paramount+.)

The low ratings compared with just 6.9 million viewers for the Feb. 28 Golden Globes, another record low for a full ceremony, and 6.1 million for the Emmy Awards last September, enabling CBS to boast in a news release that the stunted Grammys were the "largest audience for an awards show this season."

Beyonce, left, and Megan Thee Stallion accept the award for best rap song for "Savage" at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards.
Beyonce, left, and Megan Thee Stallion accept the award for best rap song for "Savage" at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards.

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By contrast, the Grammys notched a ratings peak of 39.9 million viewers in 2012, a day after singer Whitney Houston's death.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Grammys 2021 ratings reach record low, less than half 2020 total