The Grammy Awards saw a significant increase in viewership this year, with an average of 16.9 million people tuning in to watch the star-studded event. This marks the largest audience for the telecast in four years, highlighting a continued recovery from the pandemic-related declines in previous years.
The ratings on Sunday saw a remarkable 34% increase from last year, including viewership on CBS, Paramount+, and other digital platforms. When accounting for delayed viewing, it is expected that the total number of viewers will surpass 17 million. The telecast reached its peak viewership during the emotional in memoriam segment, which featured heartfelt performances by iconic artists like Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox, Jon Batiste, and Fantasia Barrino.
Comparing the numbers to previous years, this year's Grammy Awards easily surpassed the 12.4 million viewers who watched the show in 2023, when Harry Styles, Lizzo, and Bad Bunny took the stage and a tribute to 50 years of rap history was featured. Under the helm of host Trevor Noah, who has been hosting since 2021, the show has experienced consistent growth. In 2021, live viewership was 8.8 million, followed by 8.9 million in 2022. The current numbers bring the show closer to its pre-pandemic levels, when it was watched by 18.7 million viewers in 2020.
This upward trajectory is particularly notable when comparing the Grammy Awards to the fate of other award shows. The Emmy Awards, for instance, experienced a record low audience of only 4.3 million viewers earlier this year. The Grammy Awards' ability to captivate such a large audience demonstrates their enduring appeal and ability to adapt to challenging circumstances.
One of the highlights of this year's Grammy Awards was Miley Cyrus's powerful performance of her hit song 'Flowers.' The track not only resonated with viewers but also won the prestigious record of the year award. Billie Eilish also mesmerized the audience with her gentle piano ballad 'What Was I Made For?' from her album 'Barbie,' which earned her the song of the year accolade. Additionally, Taylor Swift made history by winning her fourth career Grammy for album of the year with her highly acclaimed album 'Midnights.'
The increase in viewership for the Grammy Awards is particularly noteworthy considering the overall decline in live television viewership across various events in recent years. The popularity of professional football remains an exception to this trend.
All in all, the Grammy Awards continue to enthrall audiences worldwide with their unforgettable performances, deserving winners, and the celebration of music's best. As the telecast bounces back from the challenges posed by the pandemic, it reaffirms its position as one of the most highly anticipated and watched events in the entertainment industry.
