Emmys reach record-low audience of 5.9 million people

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. viewership / ˈvyu ərˌʃɪp / (n.) – the number of people watching a TV show or channel
    Example:

    The viewership of the new show increased after a famous star joined the cast.


  2. disrupt / dɪsˈrʌpt / (v.) – to prevent something, especially a system, process, or event, from continuing
    Example:

    The heavy rain disrupted the concert held at the football stadium.


  3. make way for (something) / meɪk weɪ fər / (idiom) – to create an open space for someone or something
    Example:

    They demolished the old building to make way for a new one.


  4. exceed / ɪkˈsid / (v.) – to be greater than the expected number or amount
    Example:

    The number of fans exceeded the seating capacity of the stadium.


  5. cable / ˈkeɪ bəl / (n.) – television service provided through wires instead of signals
    Example:

    The number of cable service users decreased as video streaming became popular.


Article

Read the text below.

The Emmy Awards hit a new low in viewership, with its estimated audience of 5.9 million people even smaller than the COVID-19-disrupted ceremony two years ago.


The Nielsen company said the ceremony honoring television’s best work, where “Ted Lasso” was named best comedy and “Succession” best drama, was down from the 7.4 million people who watched in 2021.


Usually shown on a Sunday night, the Emmys were shifted to a Monday to make way for NBC’s first “Sunday Night Football” game the night before. It couldn’t escape football, however, since it competed against a tight “Monday Night Football” game.


The Emmys were hosted by Kenan Thompson of “Saturday Night Live.”


The previous low point for the Emmys, with 6.1 million people, came with a drastically downsized show because of the pandemic in 2020.


While football had its impact, Emmys ratings have been on a steady slide since the awards began to be dominated by shows on cable and streaming services. With so many more television programs being offered, there are fewer that draw the big audiences that were routine in the days when broadcast television dominated.


The last time the Emmys exceeded 10 million viewers was 2018, when it reached an audience of 10.2 million. The Emmys had 21.8 million viewers in 2000, a level it will probably never reach again.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The Emmy Awards hit a new low in viewership. Do you think this is a sign that awards shows are not relevant anymore? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you think awards ceremonies are important? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Emmys ratings have been on a steady slide since the awards began to be dominated by shows on cable and streaming services. Do you think television will be completely replaced by streaming? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • How much time do you spend watching shows via TV or streaming? Why do you spend that amount of time doing so? Discuss.