More than 7.4 million people watched the "Primetime Emmy Awards" on CBS, making it the most-watched Emmys since 2021.
Why it matters: Sunday's program, hosted by comedian and actor Nate Bargatze, saw an 8% increase in viewers over last year's broadcast on ABC.
- Live viewership from Paramount+, the streaming app owned by CBS' parent, was included in this year's ratings. Streaming on the service increased 76% compared to 2021, the company said.
The big picture: While viewership of all award shows is down considerably compared to the pre-streaming era, the Emmys isn't facing as steep a decline compared to other programs.
- In the 2010s, the Emmy Awards averaged around 12.4 million viewers each year. In the six years since, the show has averaged 6.2 million viewers, making a decline of roughly 50%.
- By comparison, the Oscars and Grammys — which are bigger shows — have seen audiences decline around 60% in the same time period.
- Viewership for the Golden Globes — which was not televised in 2022 amid criticism of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association — has declined around 45% between 2020 and 2025 compared to the 2010s.
Between the lines: The last time the show reached 7.4 million viewers, it also aired on CBS.
- The Emmys currently airs on a rotating schedule between each of the four major broadcasters — Fox, ABC, CBS and NBC — each year. The show's eight-year broadcast contract expires in 2026.
The Emmys' lowest-ever ratings occurred in 2023, when the show was delayed by five months due to Hollywood labor strikes.
- When it finally aired in January 2024, it was broadcast opposite an NFL playoff game.
What to watch: More award shows are eyeing a transition to streaming as traditional television viewership dwindles broadly.
- The Academy of Country Music Awards left its longtime home of CBS and began streaming live on Amazon Prime in 2022. The Screen Actors Guild Awards began livestreaming on Netflix in 2024.
- YouTube is reportedly eyeing the rights to the Academy Awards, which are under contract with Disney's ABC through 2028.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the Academy of Country Music Awards (not the Country Music Awards) began livestreaming on Amazon in 2022 (not 2021) and the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Netflix in 2024 (not 2023).
