Oscars on the way, but who's going to watch? (Dinosaur Media DeathWatch™)

Marketwatch ^ | February 23, 2007 | Russ Britt

[Milhous]

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- One may prove an anomaly, while two could be a run of bad luck. But three just might translate into a dubious trend when it comes to ratings on Academy Awards broadcasts.

If the past two years is any indication, it won't be good for Oscar viewership and may cut into future revenue. For 2005 and 2006, household share for the Academy Awards has fallen below the critical 40% level and has been under that threshold for three of the last four years. In years past, Oscar ratings traditionally have captured more than 40% of all households watching television on the night of the ceremony.

There's a good chance ratings may end up below that 40% mark again this year, since none of the five best-picture nominees has blown off the doors at the box office. And even though the Oscars are getting record advertising revenue -- with 30 seconds of air time selling for $1.7 million -- the down streak in ratings may not bode well for the future.

ABC network hosts the Oscars. "Last year was really weak, and I think we'll see a repeat," said Tom O'Neil, columnist for TheEnvelope.com. "You need people rooting for a movie for them to tune into the Oscars."

...

Last year's crop of nominees was similarly populated with esoteric picks, which together were the worst performers collectively at the box office over the last decade. The five took in a total of $235 million in domestic receipts, leading to the second-worst rated Oscar telecast. Last year's ceremony got a 35% household share, or 38.9 million viewers.

That group included "Brokeback Mountain," "Munich," "Good Night, and Good Luck," "Capote" and the winner, "Crash." "Brokeback Mountain" was tops at the box office of the group, taking in $83 million.

[Milhous]

ping

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I'd rather watch fungus grow from between my toes.

[potlatch]

Brokeback Mountain

[SevenofNine]

I think I do my nails LMAO

Better YET see what on HBO or something only movie that I care about is the Queen I doubt it win any awards big one

[Milhous]

ROTFLMAO.

[Rummyfan]

A festival of self-love hosted by a tennis-shoe wearing lesbian who's about as funny as a root canal, and which will feature non-stop barbs directed against President Bush and the Administration? Nah, gotta arrange the socks in my dresser....

[decal]

"DeGeneres is considered more of a mainstream entertainer, unlike such past hosts as Jon Stewart and Chris Rock, the columnist commented."

The columnist needs an anal cephalectomy.

It's a lethal commentary on this year's Oscar ceremony when most people are waiting up to find out whether or not Al Bore's piece of work wins and he declares for the Presidency.

[Rummyfan]

When does the Brokeback Moutain sequel come out? It's called OKLAHOMO!

[Rummyfan]

Another episode of ROME on HBO Sunday evening....

[potlatch]

Gosh, looks like almost a year ago that I made that already!! Messed up on my 'center' tag, hate that!!

[Rummyfan]

DeGeneres a mainstream entertainer? She's mainstream? She's an entertainer? Man I am outta touch!

[SevenofNine]

OMG I been watching it that kick butt RF rack itt

Too bad it second and last season I want see all crazy Roman emperor like Cagalita or NERO

[hsalaw]

That suggests the awards are becoming less relevant, film industry analysts say.

Well, duh. No wonder, since they keep "nominating" movies that no one saw, wants to see, knows anything about, or even gives a damn.

[1lawlady]

The Oscars are the epitome of calling good, evil, and evil good on so many levels that my head aches to think about it. I haven't watched them in 15 years and don't plan to start now. I wish they'd measure how many folks are purposefully not watching.

[bray]

I don't watch DNC Conventions!

Pray for W and Our Troops

[Milhous]

Potlatch's toon reminded me to heed Chris Rock's words of warning:

Chris Rock: Oscars only for 'gays'

[Rummyfan]

I didn't watch the first season till they started reshowing it leading up to the new season. Now I'm hooked. Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo rock! In history, did Octavian marry his sister?

[Stultis]

Last time a watched the Oscars was YEARS and YEARS ago. And then it was just 'cause a girl I was hanging with would always have friends over to watch. I was usually the only male (or at least the only straight male) in the room, and somewhere around 97 percent of the conversation focused on shoes. Despite many hours of this I was never able to discern the slightest hint of a difference between "cute" shoes and "hideous" ones, even though the difference was obvious to everyone else.

I was usually ready to shoot myself in the head well within the first hour, and would quickly set about getting sufficiently drunk that, should I find a gun, I would be apt to miss.

[SevenofNine]

He didn't marry his sister he did have sex with her he was somewhere in Greece or some Arab country now he back in rome to rule Rome right now

I hear from brits they already seen it been show something come up very soon OHHH I don't know what it is YET