Emmy Ratings Crater To All-Time Low: Early Reports

As predicted, the virtual 2020 Emmy Awards ratings dropped 14% from last year, according to Nielsen’s early numbers. As reported by Variety, only 5.1 million viewers tuned in to ABC for television’s biggest night, the lowest figure ever recorded by the awards show.

The dip in Emmy ratings comes as no surprise to industry analysts and Hollywood insiders. Ratings for the Emmy Awards, as well as all awards shows, has declined in recent years, and the virtual nature of this year’s show likely pushed away additional viewers, many of whom tune in exclusively for the pre-taped segments. The 2019 Emmys drew 6.9 million total viewers and an average 1.6 rating in the key 18-49 demographic, Nielsen estimated, a historic low in both metrics and a 33% dip from the year prior.

“I know everyone will get crazy when I say this, but this will probably be the lowest-rated Emmys of all time,” he told Deadline last week. “I would bet almost anything on it. Of course it will.”

Viewers that did tune in were treated to an evening of sweeps, bizarre Hazmat suit-wearing trophy handlers, and rousing speeches. The evening began with Canadian comedy Schitt’s Creek winning nine Emmy Awards (it won seven during the primetime broadcast, and two beforehand), the most ever for a comedy in a single year. All four of the show’s stars — Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy — won in their respective acting categories, and in the process, Schitt’s Creek became the first TV series to sweep all four acting categories at the Emmys.

The drama side was slightly more exciting, but Succession and Watchmen still dominated in their respective drama and limited series/TV movie categories. The two dramas, as well as Zendaya’s win for Euphoria, contributed to HBO’s 11 total primetime awards, the most of any network or streaming service this year. Netflix, with just two primetime awards, must be green with envy.