Television Isn’t Dying. It’s Already Dead.
For generations, broadcast television was the cultural center of gravity. If a moment mattered, it happened live on TV. The Oscars weren’t just an awards show; they were a national event that captured tens of millions of eyes at once.
But those days are long gone.
When the Oscars Owned the Culture
In 1998, the Oscars attracted over 57 million television viewers. That wasn’t just a hit; it was cultural dominance. Nearly one in four Americans with a TV tuned in.
Fast forward to 2025, and the Oscars struggle to gather around 19–20 million total viewers, including streaming and mobile. The number watching on traditional broadcast is even lower.
This isn’t just a dip; it’s a collapse.
This Isn’t Adaptation. It’s Admission.
Television no longer commands attention or relevance. The communal experience it once monopolized has fragmented into various feeds, clips, and reaction videos.
The Numbers That Killed Broadcast TV
By 2025, streaming will account for roughly 45% of all U.S. viewing time, with broadcast television dwindling to around 20% and continuing to decrease quarterly. Live viewership across networks has plummeted by 18% to 30% year over year.
Why Award Shows Don’t Matter Anymore
The shared viewing power of television is replaced by personal attention on social platforms. Audiences no longer gather for appointment viewing; they scroll past highlights and memes.
Television’s Obituary
When legacy institutions abandon broadcast, it isn’t innovation—it’s surrender. Audiences have already voted with their attention, and television has lost.
