<p>The Oscars were in desperate need of a ratings boost — and, on a night when Will Smith stunned viewers by slapping Chris Rock on stage, some 15.36 million Americans tuned in.</p>.<p>Preliminary audience figures, revealed by broadcaster <em>ABC</em> on Monday, represent a significant recovery from last year's record-low 9.85 million live viewers, although they are still the second-lowest in televised Academy Awards history.</p>.<p>The moment when Smith struck comedian Rock for quipping about his wife's hair-loss condition immediately went viral online, launching countless memes and opinions both defending and condemning the best actor winner.</p>.<p>The ratings recovery mirrors those of several other awards shows including television's Emmys in September and the recent Screen Actors Guild award ceremonies.</p>.<p>Many award shows were forced to stage virtual or low-key ceremonies in 2021 because of the pandemic, and drew unusually low audiences.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/alopecia-the-jada-pinkett-smith-condition-behind-the-oscars-slapgate-1095520.html" target="_blank">Alopecia: The Jada Pinkett Smith condition behind the Oscars #slapgate</a></strong></p>.<p>Oscars figures last year fell by around 50 per cent from the previous ceremony's 23.6 million, which was already a record low, as award shows struggle to remain relevant in an era of social media and binge-watching on streaming networks.</p>.<p>Academy producers this year resorted to innovations such as pre-taping the announcements of winners in several less starry Oscars categories, and adding a "fan favourite" prize for a film voted by Twitter users.</p>.<p>Sunday night's show also ended with a historic win for <em>CODA</em>, which featured a mainly deaf cast, and was the first best picture triumph for a streaming service.</p>.<p>But it was an unscripted and highly controversial moment that created the Oscars' talking point Sunday, as Smith strode onto the Oscars stage and slapped Rock for a joke comparing his wife Jada Pinkett Smith to the character "G.I. Jane."</p>.<p>Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia, a condition causing hair loss.</p>.<p>Official ratings will be released on Tuesday.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>The Oscars were in desperate need of a ratings boost — and, on a night when Will Smith stunned viewers by slapping Chris Rock on stage, some 15.36 million Americans tuned in.</p>.<p>Preliminary audience figures, revealed by broadcaster <em>ABC</em> on Monday, represent a significant recovery from last year's record-low 9.85 million live viewers, although they are still the second-lowest in televised Academy Awards history.</p>.<p>The moment when Smith struck comedian Rock for quipping about his wife's hair-loss condition immediately went viral online, launching countless memes and opinions both defending and condemning the best actor winner.</p>.<p>The ratings recovery mirrors those of several other awards shows including television's Emmys in September and the recent Screen Actors Guild award ceremonies.</p>.<p>Many award shows were forced to stage virtual or low-key ceremonies in 2021 because of the pandemic, and drew unusually low audiences.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/alopecia-the-jada-pinkett-smith-condition-behind-the-oscars-slapgate-1095520.html" target="_blank">Alopecia: The Jada Pinkett Smith condition behind the Oscars #slapgate</a></strong></p>.<p>Oscars figures last year fell by around 50 per cent from the previous ceremony's 23.6 million, which was already a record low, as award shows struggle to remain relevant in an era of social media and binge-watching on streaming networks.</p>.<p>Academy producers this year resorted to innovations such as pre-taping the announcements of winners in several less starry Oscars categories, and adding a "fan favourite" prize for a film voted by Twitter users.</p>.<p>Sunday night's show also ended with a historic win for <em>CODA</em>, which featured a mainly deaf cast, and was the first best picture triumph for a streaming service.</p>.<p>But it was an unscripted and highly controversial moment that created the Oscars' talking point Sunday, as Smith strode onto the Oscars stage and slapped Rock for a joke comparing his wife Jada Pinkett Smith to the character "G.I. Jane."</p>.<p>Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia, a condition causing hair loss.</p>.<p>Official ratings will be released on Tuesday.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>