Overview
- Nielsen’s live-plus-same-day data counted 8.66 million viewers on CBS, with the ceremony also available to Paramount+ Premium subscribers.
- The audience declined roughly 7–8% from about 9.3 million for the 2025 telecast measured on the same basis.
- CBS lacked a late NFL lead-in and the show aired opposite playoff games on Fox and NBC.
- Paramount reported a record 43 million online interactions, up about 5% year over year, and ET’s red carpet pre-show averaged 3.4 million viewers.
- One Battle After Another led the winners with Best Picture — Comedy or Musical and other key awards as Nikki Glaser returned as host.