Oscars 2025 ratings drop: Is Hulu to blame for the viewership decline?

The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, recorded lower viewership levels than previous years. This year's awards ceremony was interesting in that, for the first time, it was broadcast on ABC and streamed live on Hulu as well.

The move to provide the Oscars on a streaming platform was done to expand reach, given current viewing habits. Despite this attempt, preliminary reports indicate that viewership went down.

Many discussions have been ongoing regarding the potential causes of this decreased viewership. One prominent concern is how Hulu handled the live stream as most users complained of technical issues that interfered with their experience.

Although it is not certain whether Hulu's problems were the exclusive reason for the ratings decline, they appear to have contributed to the way the audience watched the event.

Most viewers experienced technical issues when they watched the Oscars on Hulu

Hulu's live Oscars streaming was plagued with several issues throughout the broadcast. Users experienced issues like logouts, streaming issues, and being unable to re-enter the site. These issues occurred at critical points of the ceremony, particularly when major awards were announced, such as Best Picture and Best Actor. Reports said thousands of users were complaining about the interruptions.

Some vented their frustration on social media, while others switched to other platforms or quit watching altogether. Hulu eventually admitted to the problems and promised users that its team was working on resolving them. By the time some issues were addressed, most viewers had already missed crucial parts of the event.

Read More: Oscars 2025: Full list of winners for the 97th Academy Awards

Streaming issues might have been the cause of ratings decline, but not the sole contributor

While technical glitches on Hulu were a nuisance for many viewers, the impact on the overall ratings continues to be examined. Recently, the Academy Awards have had inconsistent viewership, with various factors contributing to audience figures.

Although streaming was anticipated to contribute to increased accessibility, the problems during the event might have discouraged viewers from keeping up. Some accounts report that audience participation fell dramatically when the stream was not functioning, and technical glitches might have affected the overall ratings decrease. However, this is only part of a larger trend for the Oscars and other such events.

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Altered viewing patterns and waning interest in award shows could also be a cause

The drop in ratings isn't solely due to Hulu's technical problems. Overall, award shows have seen shifts in audience trends. Several factors influence viewership, including changing entertainment preferences, the rise of on-demand content, and the decline in traditional TV viewership.

Younger viewers would rather view highlights or track updates on social media than endure a lengthy, live telecast. Moreover, viewership of the award event has fluctuated based on its year, nominees, and cultural importance. The Oscars, like other such ceremonies, still struggle to keep up with these changes.

The contribution of Hulu to the ratings decline is unclear, but technical advancements are needed

While Hulu's streaming issues may have contributed to the drop in the Oscars 2025 ratings, other factors were also involved. Audiences have been adapting to changing viewing habits for years, and adjusting to new ways of watching can often pose challenges.

The technical difficulties evoked questions about the stability of streaming high-profile events, making improvements to future broadcasts necessary.

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