Oscar Ratings Down 7 Percent From Last Year
The 3 ½ hour 2011 Oscars drew ratings that were 7 percent off last year’s numbers according to the Reuters News agency. The data comes from major markets and provides an early indication of the overall ratings numbers.
The ratings, however, did hold up well in the 18-49 demographic most coveted by advertisers, according to Nielsen figures.
Betting on the 2011 Oscars also appeared to be down from last year.
“Gambling911.com is the leader in providing Oscars betting coverage, and while there was a steady stream of traffic throughout the day, numbers were off from last year it appears based on initial stats data,” said Payton O’Brien, Senior Editor of the Gambling911.com website.
The reason for the downturn in betting is likely attributed to the steep prices for favorites in all the main categories. The only real competition came with odds for “Best Picture” and “Best Director”, but even the price on both favorites, The Kings Speech and The Social Network, required a greater risk vs. reward. Other categories like “Best Actor” were close to impossible to wager on since the odds were -10000 at some books. The Oscars tend to generate the most wagers for a single day event in years where there is not a US Presidential election.
Critics have suggested an overhaul and some are even questioning whether the Oscars should take place prior to awards shows such as The Golden Globes and various guilds presentations.
As for the show itself, The Hollywood Reporter said the ceremony "could go down as one of the worst Oscar telecasts in history."
- Jordan Bach, Gambling911.com
