Grammys take ratings hit

The Grammys' 50th anniversary telecast failed to generate more excitement for the gala, as the show suffered its lowest ratings since 1992, according to Nielsen data. Compared to last year's telecast, the Grammys were down about 12%, close to the annual dip in CD sales for the music biz.

With most of the other networks in repeats, viewers apparently didn't take a music show heavy on retrospective-themed pieces.

The Times' Scott Collins wrote:

Grammy ratings tend to fluctuate depending on the popularity of the nominees and the level of competition from other shows, ranging from a recent low of 17 million (2006) to a high of 29.9 million (1993). This year, the writers strike meant the other networks stuck mainly with low-rated repeats, such as NBC's "American Gladiators" and Fox's "The Simpsons."

Comments

[Pamela]

How surprising... and they had such a unique and revolutionary marketing strategy to have the nominated star go to drug rehab right before the show. How could that possibly have not worked? **yawn** No wonder the music industry is in a slump.

[Frankie R.]

Well the line-up wasn't exactly strong...the whole show was basically ho-hum....

[b sallinger]

Comparing ratings with other grammy telecasts like 1992 is rediculous. Back then it had 10 maybe 30 other channels to compete with. Now it has 800. The comparisons aren't apples to apples. In addition the ratings arent down from last year. Last year the super bowl was on CBS so the Grammy advertising saw more viewers in the all-important week leading up to the event. A 12 percent drop in a non super bowl year for CBS is expected.