This year's Grammy Awards generated major excitement and recorded its highest television audience in four years. The ceremony, which was aired on CBS, saw a significant increase in ratings compared to the 2023 event. With Taylor Swift winning album of the year and best pop vocal album, the show attracted an impressive 16.9 million viewers, based on time zone-adjusted fast national ratings from Nielsen.
This number represents the largest tune-in for the Grammys since 2020, which was the last edition held before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted live events. The 16.9 million viewers for the CBS broadcast excludes streaming viewership. However, CBS reported a substantial increase in viewership for Paramount+'s live stream of the Grammys compared to the previous year, although specific numbers were not disclosed (as is typical for streaming outlets).
The growth in viewership for the Grammys aligns with the trend seen in the Golden Globe Awards, which experienced a 51 percent increase in viewership from the previous year, partly due to an NFL lead-in. CBS hosted the Golden Globes this year, as the prestigious awards moved from their long-time home at NBC. On the other hand, the Emmy Awards, which aired on Fox four months later than usual, suffered more declines in viewership.
The increased interest in the Grammy Awards was not limited to the main event. E!'s coverage of the Grammy red carpet also garnered its highest audience since 2020. The pre-show attracted an average of 1.5 million viewers, up from 1.1 million viewers the previous year.
While these preliminary ratings provide a glimpse into the success of the Grammy Awards, complete ratings, including final same-day viewer counts and demographic figures, will be available on Tuesday morning. These detailed statistics will shed more light on the impact of the ceremony and the target audience it attracted.
The significant surge in viewership for the Grammy Awards and other award shows indicates that live events remain highly popular, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. It reaffirms the resilience and enduring appeal of these prestigious ceremonies, which continue to captivate audiences year after year.
