Golden Globes' Audience Slips Again Amidst Stiff Competition
Analyzing the Viewership Decline: A Second Straight Year of Dips for the Golden Globes
The 2026 Golden Globe Awards, broadcast on CBS, saw its audience shrink to 8.66 million viewers. This figure, based on Nielsen's final same-day data including its comprehensive big data component, indicates a 7 percent drop compared to the 9.27 million viewers for the 2025 ceremony. The trend highlights a continuous challenge for the awards show in maintaining its live television audience.
Comparing Recent Broadcasts: Golden Globes' Performance on CBS
This year's decline follows an earlier dip from the 2024 broadcast, which garnered 9.47 million viewers in its inaugural year on CBS. Although the 2025 figures from Nielsen's traditional reporting did not include the big data component (which was integrated across all products at the start of the 2025-26 season), the overall trajectory suggests a consistent downward trend in linear viewership. Nevertheless, all three CBS broadcasts have outperformed the final two years of the Globes' tenure on NBC.
The Impact of Competing Events: NFL's Influence on Awards Show Ratings
A significant factor contributing to the reduced viewership was the absence of a late-afternoon NFL game lead-in, which CBS had benefited from in previous years. Furthermore, the 2026 Golden Globes aired directly opposite an NFL wild card playoff game on NBC, which commanded nearly 29 million cross-platform viewers. This echoes the challenge faced by last year's awards, which competed with the NFL's regular season finale, drawing a comparable audience of around 28.5 million.
Social Media Engagement: A Silver Lining in Declining Traditional Viewership
Despite the dip in traditional TV ratings, the Golden Globes experienced a surge in social media activity. The event generated 42 million social interactions, representing a 5 percent increase year-over-year and marking its highest engagement level to date. Notably, host Nikki Glaser's opening monologue alone amassed approximately 14 million views across various social platforms within 36 hours post-broadcast, showcasing a shift in audience interaction.
Pre-Show Popularity: Entertainment Tonight's Red Carpet Attracts Millions
Adding a positive note to the overall viewing experience, the red carpet pre-show presented by Entertainment Tonight drew a substantial audience of 3.4 million viewers. This indicates a strong interest in the fashion and celebrity arrivals leading up to the main awards ceremony.
Behind the Scenes: Ownership and Production Connections
It is noteworthy that Golden Globes producer Dick Clark Productions is part of Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture that also holds ownership of The Hollywood Reporter. This connection highlights the integrated nature of media production and reporting within the entertainment industry.