Estimated 40.3M people in US watch Oscars, an increase over last year’s show

By The Associated Press
February 25 2013 02:43 PM

CP22203814 — Director/producer Ben Affleck, center, accepts the award for best picture for "Argo," as the cast and crew look on during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Oscars telecast was seen by 40.3 million people, a slight increase over last year’s show.

The Nielsen Company said Monday it was the most-watched Oscars telecast in three years. Last year’s show, when “The Artist” won best picture, had an audience of 39.3 million people. After bringing in “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane as host this year, ABC saw an 11 per cent ratings boost over 2012 among viewers ages 18 to 49 years old.

The Academy Awards exceeded 40 million viewers four times in the previous 10 years.

The Oscars regained its traditional status as most-watched awards show, after the Grammy Awards topped it last year.

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