Golden Globes 2021: Ratings down by more than half, according to early reports

Ratings for Sunday night's 2021 Golden Globe Awards on NBC were down by more than half, compared to the 2020 ceremony, according to Nielsen.

Early numbers show that NBC's broadcast averaged 5.42 million viewers and a 1.2 rating in key ad demographics of adults 18 to 49. According to the Hollywood Reporter, those numbers are down by more than 60 percent from last year’s early figures.

That said, the early numbers don't account for those watching the live show from the Pacific time zone or out-of-home viewing. Those figures are due to come in on Tuesday morning.

The Los Angeles Times notes that it was the smallest audience since the event moved from TBS to NBC in 1996.

The 78th Golden Globe Awards was the HFPA’s first-ever bicoastal and virtual show. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who had previously hosted the event from 2013 to 2015, hosted the event from the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center and the Beverly Hilton Hotel, respectively.

READ MORE: Golden Globes 2021 winners: The full list

Last year, the Golden Globe Awards telecast was watched by 18.4 million viewers.

The news also follows a scathing Los Angeles Times report about the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which administers the Globes, alleging that the organisers suffer from self-dealing, ethical lapses, and a lack of any Black members.

In a brief segment during the show, three HFPA members addressed the findings. “We recognize we have our own work to do,” said Helen Hoehne of Germany. “Just like in film and television, Black representation is vital. We must have Black journalists in our organization.”

Former HFPA president Meher Tatna of India chimed in: “We must ensure everyone gets a seat at our table.”