Grammys Hit 14.4 Million Viewers, Down 6% From Last Year

The final CBS broadcast of the 68th Grammy Awards drew an average of 14.4 million viewers, Nielsen reported, marking a 6% decrease from the 15.4 million who tuned in the year before. This continues a downward trend for the ceremony, which had already seen a 9% drop in its 2024 viewership. Nevertheless, the event remained television's most-watched awards show since the previous Academy Awards, which attracted 19.7 million. CBS emphasized the program's robust online engagement, stating it was the "most social" TV event in half a year, amassing 74.8 million total interactions and over 302 million video views across platforms.

For the sixth consecutive year, comedian Trevor Noah served as host, delivering the show from Los Angeles at 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Variety's chief music critic, Chris Willman, noted in his review that Noah largely set aside the political satire he's known for on 'The Daily Show' in favor of an "ultra-avuncular" and celebratory tone focused on the artists. Willman speculated that this congenial style might be appreciated more in hindsight, depending on ABC's choice of host for its inaugural broadcast next year. He also pointed to a persistent tonal clash throughout the evening, writing that the oscillation between "somber and silly moments" was sometimes jarring, a reflection of the broader challenge entertainment faces in balancing escapism with acknowledging serious world events.

Kendrick Lamar was the evening's most decorated artist, securing five awards including the coveted record of the year. The album of the year honor went to global superstar Bad Bunny, whose acceptance speech became a major talking point. He used his moment to advocate for Latino communities, stating "ICE out" in a direct critique of U.S. immigration policy. This is not the first time the Grammys have served as a platform for political statements, echoing moments like Macklemore's 2014 support for marriage equality. The ceremony is produced by Fulwell Entertainment for the Recording Academy, with executive producers Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor, Jesse Collins, and host Trevor Noah at the helm.

The transition to ABC next year concludes a long-standing partnership with CBS, which has aired the Grammys for decades. Industry analysts suggest the network change could be an opportunity to refresh the format and potentially attract a new demographic, though reversing the viewership trend remains a significant challenge. The move is part of a broader shift in major awards show broadcasting, similar to the Oscars' historic move from NBC to ABC in the 1970s, often driven by lucrative financial packages and strategic alignment with a network's brand identity.