Overview
- Nielsen’s final Live+Same Day data shows the Dec. 23 CBS telecast averaged 3.01 million viewers, the lowest audience on record for the Honors.
- Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi argued the Tuesday airdate two days before Christmas and other factors make past comparisons unfair.
- The center said the broadcast tied for No. 1 among adults 25–54 alongside an NBA doubleheader and asserted overall TV usage fell about 20% year over year.
- Leaders cited 1.5 billion social impressions and $23 million raised, though outlets noted those figures are not independently verifiable against Nielsen’s metrics.
- Coverage also pointed to a viewer boycott linked to the venue’s newly announced Trump-Kennedy Center name, which faces a lawsuit from Rep. Joyce Beatty arguing only Congress can change it.