Oscar telecast down 16 percent from 2014

Still, ABC's presentation is TV's top entertainment telecast in 1 year

While nearly 37 million people watched the Academy Awards on ABC Sunday, the show garnered its lowest viewer turnout in six years. This year's ceremony was down 16 percent from last year's event.

While host Neil Patrick Harris drew mixed reviews, critics tend to suggest the number of viewers each year is dependent on the popularity of the films nominated.

ABC Sunday prime (7-11 p.m. - Fast affiliate averages)

With coverage of the 87th Annual Academy Awards, ABC overshadowed Sunday's prime, leading its combined broadcast competition (CBS, NBC and FOX) by 211 percent in total viewers (30.8 million vs. 9.9 million) and by 300 percent in adults 18-49 (8.8/24 vs. 2.2/6).

"Oscar's Red Carpet Live" (7-8:30 p.m.)

Building by 10.6 million viewers from its first half-hour to its final half-hour (13.7 million to 24.3 million), ABC's "Oscar's Red Carpet Live" pulled in 24.3 million viewers from 8-8:30 p.m. leading into the ceremony.

"The Oscars" (8:30-11:48 p.m.)

ABC's 2015 broadcast of "The Oscars" drew an average audience of 36.6 million total viewers and earned a 10.8 rating among adults 18-49, based on Nielsen's "Fast National" ratings. The 2015 "Oscars" ranked as TV's top entertainment telecast overall in one year - since last year's telecast.

TV's biggest awards show, The Oscars outdrew the 2015 "Golden Globe Awards" by 17.3 million viewers and 86 percent in Adults 18-49 (19.3 million/5.8 rating in AD18-49) and the 2015 Grammy Awards by 11.8 million viewers and 30 percent in adults 18-49 (24.8 million/8.3 rating in AD18-49).

ABC's telecast reached an estimated 63.0 million unique television viewers across the U.S. - unduplicated viewers ages 2-plus watching six minutes or more during the broadcast.

Digital

Oscar.com experienced increased traffic compared to last year (despite this year's Oscars' season being one week shorter than last year), with visits up 8 percent (18.3 million vs. 17.0 million) versus a year-ago.

From nominations week through "Oscar Sunday," video views on the site posted solid growth, up 28 percent (8.0 million vs. 6.2 million), with video views/visits up 20 percent versus a year ago.

On "Oscar Sunday" alone, www.Oscar.com garnered more than 7.1 million visits (up 14 percent) with video views posting solid gains, up 46 percent (3.4 million vs. 2.3 million) versus the prior year.

Social Activity (SocialGuide)

According to Nielsen SocialGuide, a total of 13.0 million people saw 5.9 million tweets about ABC's Oscars. These tweets were sent by 1.4 million people and generated 801.3 million Twitter TV impressions.

The most-tweeted about minute occurred at 11:21 p.m. ET (60,044 Tweets during the minute) as viewers applauded Lady Gaga's "Sound of Music" tribute and Julie Andrews' appearance.

Source: The Nielsen Company (Live + Same Day, Fast National Program Ratings Feb. 22).