The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[TP2000]

This has been going on longer than the last 5 years. Viewership on average has declined for the last 2 decades. And the largest reason appears to be increased cord cutting due to streaming rather than anything Hollywood celebs are saying or not saying.

Since 1976 the Oscars have been aired every year on one TV network; ABC. That 45 year tradition continues this year with the show being telecast again on ABC. So no cable subscription or uncut cord is required to watch.

US viewership for the Oscars generally bounced around the 38 to 46 million mark for the first 15 years of the 21st century. Then viewership began a sudden decline in 2015, and then fell off a cliff in 2021 due to the pandemic (movie theaters were closed for most of 2020).

US Viewership for the Oscars on ABC:

2014 = 43.7 Million (the last year viewership was above 40 Million)
2015 = 36.6 Million
2016 = 34.3 Million
2017 = 32.9 Million
2018 = 26.5 Million
2019 = 29.6 Million
2020 = 23.6 Million
2021 = 9.85 Million

Oscars viewership by year 2000-2024 | Statista

In 2024, the Oscars audience was 19.5 million in the U.S., up from a viewership of 18.8 million in the previous year.

www.statista.com

My point is that if the Academy wants Americans to tune into their show again, they should stop nominating unknown and obscure films like Drive My Car or Belfast or CODA for Best Picture. ABC Television also spends a great deal of money on the broadcast, and advertisers also spend a great deal for commercial time. The recent strategy of the Academy and its members accepting awards seems to be to appear as disinteresting and offensive to as many American viewers as possible. That's not a winning strategy for an industry that depends on profits and ticket sales, is it?

 

[Disney Irish]

Since 1976 the Oscars have been aired every year on one TV network; ABC. That 45 year tradition continues this year with the show being telecast again on ABC. So no cable subscription or uncut cord is required to watch.

US viewership for the Oscars generally bounced around the 38 to 46 million mark for the first 15 years of the 21st century. Then viewership began a sudden decline in 2015, and then fell off a cliff in 2021 due to the pandemic (movie theaters were closed for most of 2020).

US Viewership for the Oscars on ABC:

2014 = 43.7 Million (the last year viewership was above 40 Million)
2015 = 36.6 Million
2016 = 34.3 Million
2017 = 32.9 Million
2018 = 26.5 Million
2019 = 29.6 Million
2020 = 23.6 Million
2021 = 9.85 Million

Oscars viewership by year 2000-2024 | Statista

In 2024, the Oscars audience was 19.5 million in the U.S., up from a viewership of 18.8 million in the previous year.

www.statista.com

My point is that if the Academy wants Americans to tune into their show again, they should stop nominating unknown and obscure films like Drive My Car or Belfast or CODA for Best Picture. ABC Television also spends a great deal of money on the broadcast, and advertisers also spend a great deal for commercial time. The recent strategy of the Academy and its members accepting awards seems to be to appear as disinteresting and offensive to as many American viewers as possible. That's not a winning strategy for an industry that depends on profits and ticket sales, is it?

So I don't disagree the Academy needs to nominate less obscure films. However have you considered that it might just be possible, even a remote possibility, that Americans just aren't into the Oscars anymore no matter what movies are nominated?

I mean overall viewership of award shows have been down across the board for many years now -

So this isn't unique to just the Oscars. But speaking of just the Oscars, it has never come close to its peak in 1998 at 57.2M viewers anytime in the last 23 years, which BTW was still only about 20% of the population at the time.

So it just appears American just aren't having those Oscar watch parties anymore like they did in the 80s, 90s and partially in the early 00s. Could they do something to combat this, maybe, but I just don't see it ever returning to its former glory of the late 90s. Just my opinion.

 

[chadwpalm]

Award show viewership is down because people are tired of the woke speeches everyone gives. You want to lose half your audience that's the way to go about it.

 

[Mac Tonight]

Maybe more people are finally waking up to the fact that a three+ hour marathon of watching Hollywood elites pat themselves on the back with golden statues, awarded purely on subjective opinion... is kind of a waste of time?

 

[TP2000]

So it just appears American just aren't having those Oscar watch parties anymore like they did in the 80s, 90s and partially in the early 00s. Could they do something to combat this, maybe, but I just don't see it ever returning to its former glory of the late 90s. Just my opinion.

I agree. But the snotty and elitist problems plaguing the Oscars recently are also on display at the other awards shows. Often, the other awards show speeches are even more condescending and preachy than the Oscars have been.

It will be interesting to see how many Americans watch the Super Bowl this weekend. That's another TV gala shown only on network TV (NBC), so cable cord cutting has no real impact on Super Bowl viewership.

And like the Oscars, Super Bowl viewership can vary year to year based on fan interest. But it looks fairly consistent over the same time that viewership for the Oscars collapsed. And the Oscars and Super Bowl are often broadcast within weeks of each other, in a chilly season made for TV viewing.

US Network TV Viewership By Year
2014: Super Bowl 112 Million, Oscars 43.7 Million
2015: Super Bowl 114 Million, Oscars 36.6 Million
2016: Super Bowl 111 Million, Oscars 34.3 Million
2017: Super Bowl 111 Million, Oscars 32.9 Million
2018: Super Bowl 103 Million, Oscars 26.5 Million
2019: Super Bowl 98 Million, Oscars 29.6 Million
2020: Super Bowl 101 Million, Oscars 23.6 Million
2021: Super Bowl 92 Million, Oscars 9.8 Million

I'm also reminded that many of my fellow members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ (Up With People!) community used to call the Oscars "The Gay Super Bowl". I haven't heard that term for several years now though, and the friends I knew who used to host gala Oscars viewing parties stopped hosting them. End of an era.

 

[Disney Irish]

I agree. But the snotty problems plaguing the Oscars recently are also on display at the other awards shows. Often, the other awards show speeches are even more condescending and preachy than the Oscars have been.

But the way to gain back your audience is not to nominate obscure films no one actually saw and then let Hollywood elites sniff their noses at Americans and talk down to them from their golden podium. It's obviously not a winning business plan. Hollywood is a for-profit industry, remember.

It will be interesting to see how many Americans watch the Super Bowl this weekend. That's another TV gala shown only on network TV (NBC), so cord cutting has no real impact on Super Bowl viewership.

And like the Oscars, Super Bowl viewership can vary year to year based on fan interest. But it looks fairly consistent over the same time that viewership for the Oscars collapsed. And the Oscars and Super Bowl are often broadcast within weeks of each other, in a chilly season made for TV viewing.

US Network TV Viewership By Year
2014: Super Bowl 112 Million, Oscars 43.7 Million
2015: Super Bowl 114 Million, Oscars 36.6 Million
2016: Super Bowl 111 Million, Oscars 34.3 Million
2017: Super Bowl 111 Million, Oscars 32.9 Million
2018: Super Bowl 103 Million, Oscars 26.5 Million
2019: Super Bowl 98 Million, Oscars 29.6 Million
2020: Super Bowl 101 Million, Oscars 23.6 Million
2021: Super Bowl 92 Million, Oscars 9.8 Million

I'm also reminded that many of my fellow members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community used to call the Oscars "The Gay Super Bowl". I haven't heard that term for several years now though, and the friends I knew who used to host gala Oscars viewing parties stopped hosting them. End of an era.

BTW, you can't make the assumption that just because its on a regular broadcast network that it isn't affected by cord cutting. You can't just watch local channels anymore with a set of rabbit ears as the signals are now digital. And it appears cord cutters aren't going out in large numbers and buying new digital antennas (required to get the digital signal) just to watch local channels.

With 44M, as of 2020, cord cutters in the US that is a lot of viewers likely not watching local broadcasts.

 

[TP2000]

But speaking of just the Oscars, it has never come close to its peak in 1998 at 57.2M viewers anytime in the last 23 years, which BTW was still only about 20% of the population at the time.

The 1998 Oscars were indeed the all time highest rated program for that American tradition.

The 1998 Oscars was also the year that Titanic was nominated in nearly every category, and won Best Picture.

The megahit Titanic was wildly popular with Americans in the flyover states and held the box office record for decades.

Titanic's box office record was just surpassed this year by... wait for it... Spiderman.

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ sinks ‘Titanic’ record at the box office

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” shattered expectations after raking in $33 million for the fourth consecutive weekend.

nypost.com

 

[TP2000]

BTW, you can't make the assumption that just because its on a regular broadcast network that it isn't affected by cord cutting. You can't just watch local channels anymore with a set of rabbit ears as the signals are now digital. And it appears cord cutters aren't going out in large numbers and buying new digital antennas (required to get the digital signal) just to watch local channels.

With 44M, as of 2020, cord cutters in the US that is a lot of viewers likely not watching local broadcasts.

I'm suspicious that the cord cutters of the world are entirely cut off from network TV. The viewership for the Super Bowl seems to prove that.

But again, we'll have to see how many Americans tune in this Sunday on NBC. I would think going down to Target or WalMart and buying a $20 digital TV antenna when they pick up their chips and beer and onion dip is achievable for anyone who wants to watch the Super Bowl.

 

[Disney Irish]

The 1998 Oscars were indeed the all time highest rated program for that American tradition.

The 1998 Oscars was also the year that Titanic was nominated in nearly every category, and won Best Picture.

The megahit Titanic was wildly popular with Americans in the flyover states and held the box office record for decades.

Titanic's box office record was just surpassed this year by... wait for it... Spiderman.

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ sinks ‘Titanic’ record at the box office

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” shattered expectations after raking in $33 million for the fourth consecutive weekend.

nypost.com

Titanic was also beaten by Infinity War and End Game, also not nominated.

It was also beaten by Avatar in 2009, which was nominated, still didn't beat the 1998 viewership.

 

[Disney Irish]

I'm suspicious that the cord cutters of the world are entirely cut off from network TV. The viewership for the Super Bowl seems to prove that.

But again, we'll have to see how many Americans tune in this Sunday on NBC. I would think going down to Target or WalMart and buying a $20 digital antenna when they pick up their chips and beer and onion dip is achievable for anyone who wants to watch the Super Bowl.

Actually you can stream the Super Bowl on NBC's streaming service, Peacock. No digital antenna needed.

Oscars hasn't really been streamed prior to this year or last year I believe.

 

[TP2000]

1998 was a great year for Hollywood. 25 years later every single movie nominated for Best Picture is still remembered and known (and I imagine anyone today over age 40 would agree they've at least heard of the Best Picture nominees from that year a quarter century ago).

This 1998 Oscar Best Picture acceptance speech is notable for it's grace and non-divisiveness. They even held a stunning moment of silence for the (mostly 3rd class deplorables) victims during their speech! I remember exactly whose Oscar party I was at and how the raucous party came to a beautiful stop at that epic TV moment.

Truly a different and kinder world back then. How did Hollywood lose its way and become so snotty?

 

[Parteecia]

I have the Oscars on in the background with the sound down so my friends and I can mock their outfits via old-school email.

 

[TP2000]

Actually you can stream the Super Bowl on NBC's streaming service, Peacock. No digital antenna needed.

Oscars hasn't really been streamed prior to this year or last year I believe.

Yes, but you have to pay for Peacock Premium to watch the Super Bowl that way. You can't watch it for free on the basic Peacock service. As of this month, Peacock Premium has only 9 million subscribers.

Last year's Super Bowl had 5.7 Million streaming viewers via the CBS App, out of the 92 Million who watched the game.

But however many Peacock Premium subscribers do watch it via that App instead of regular TV, you can bet NBC will include them in their viewership totals. It will be interesting to see what happens to Super Bowl viewership numbers this year, and then how that follows up a few weeks later when the Oscars air on ABC.

NBCU Bets on Super Bowl LVI to Drive Peacock Premium Streaming Sign-Ups

NBCUniversal is hoping Super Bowl LVI will spur Peacock Premium sign-ups -- and that new subscribers will stick with the streamer.

variety.com

 

[Disney Irish]

Yes, but you have to pay for Peacock Premium to watch the Super Bowl that way. You can't watch it for free on the basic Peacock service. As of this month, Peacock Premium has only 9 million subscribers.

Last year's Super Bowl had 5.7 Million streaming viewers via the CBS App, out of the 92 Million who watched the game.

But however many Peacock Premium subscribers do watch it via that App instead of regular TV, you can bet NBC will include them in their viewership totals. It will be interesting to see what happens to Super Bowl viewership numbers this year, and then how that follows up a few weeks later when the Oscars air on ABC.

NBCU Bets on Super Bowl LVI to Drive Peacock Premium Streaming Sign-Ups

NBCUniversal is hoping Super Bowl LVI will spur Peacock Premium sign-ups -- and that new subscribers will stick with the streamer.

variety.com

Yes I agree it’ll be interesting to watch.

Point is though that Super Bowl has offered a streaming option since 2012. The same can’t be said for the Oscars. Going forward we’ll see if the streaming numbers for the Oscars makes up for the lack of traditional broadcast viewers.

 

[TP2000]

I have the Oscars on in the background with the sound down so my friends and I can mock their outfits via old-school email.

Sounds fun! That's pretty much how most Oscars parties in real life go down too. Or at least how they used to.

Which is why I found it so baffling a few years ago when several prominent actresses tried to get all huffy and fake offended that anyone would ask them who they were wearing instead of asking them their opinions on Hollywood business topics.

You can either make this event a grand A List gala fashion show party wearing couture, or you can make this an industry business conference wearing an Ann Taylor pantsuit, your choice. But you can't pretend to be offended when a TV reporter ask you about your gown instead of your thoughts on Hollywood's private equity investors and their access to local tax breaks for media companies as you parade down the red carpet after spending tens of thousands of dollars and several days of preparation to look like this...

 

[Disney Irish]

Maybe more people are finally waking up to the fact that a three+ hour marathon of watching Hollywood elites pat themselves on the back with golden statues, awarded purely on subjective opinion... is kind of a waste of time?

Yep, I agree, I think its a waste of time for the most part since its the Academy members voting on themselves. The People's Choice Awards is honestly a better representation of what the public likes in my opinion.

 

[Mac Tonight]

Yep, I agree, I think its a waste of time for the most part since its the Academy members voting on themselves. The People's Choice Awards is honestly a better representation of what the public likes in my opinion.

I didn't even know they still did a People's Choice Award show, lol.

 

[D.Silentu]

Just turned on the Mattercam while unwinding after work. It looks like there's smoke near the Disneyland Hotel. A net search doesn't say anything about this, does anyone know what's going on?

EDIT: Well, the camera has panned by the same spot a few more times and I don't see smoke anymore.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Just turned on the Mattercam while unwinding after work. It looks like there's smoke near the Disneyland Hotel. A net search doesn't say anything about this, does anyone know what's going on?

EDIT: Well, the camera has panned by the same spot a few more times and I don't see smoke anymore.

Anaheim Fire & Rescue responded to a fire at 1893 S Eileen Dr at 4:15. That area is behind the Disneyland Hotel looking from the Howard Johnson.

You can view active and recent calls for Anaheim Fire & Rescue and the Orange County Fire Authority here:

PulsePoint Foundation

PulsePoint is a non-profit foundation building applications that improve survivability from extremely time-sensitive medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest.

web.pulsepoint.org

 

[Mac Tonight]

Caught a commercial on YouTube for DCA's Food and Wine Festival starting March 4th.

Sadly, I know it won't be as good as Epcot's that I attended last November. For one thing... it's in DCA.