GRAPHIC: Two dinosaurs traverse a canyon with the grammy award and academy award upon their backs as a comet approaches the earth. Graphic by The Signal managing editor Miles Shellshear. — Are award shows going the way of the dinosaur? Declining viewership and annual controversy may be their demise. Graphic by The Signal managing editor Miles Shellshear.

COMMENTARY: Are televised award shows becoming extinct?

By LeeRoy Medina Last updated Feb 14, 2020 134 0

As the New Year comes around, so does a new season of award shows; though it seems that the number of viewers has been dwindling with every new award show added. Part of the reason may be because of the increased amount of award shows to follow, but there is no doubt technology has made an impact as well. The new age of viewers has changed how they see things, with having the convenience of streaming services that do not include commercials.

Many younger viewers would rather just catch the best moments online through social media than commit to watching the entire show. One reason for the decline in viewership could be because of the competition between streaming services and network television. Declining viewers might also have something to do with the people becoming disenchanted with the continuing lack of diversity.

Within the first month of 2020, the Grammy Awards aired receiving an estimated 18 million viewers, which sounds impressive until learning that the 2010 Grammy Awards had a whopping 26 million viewers. These statistics show an estimated loss of 8 million viewers in one decade. The Grammys are not the only award show being affected but losing viewers each year. Although these award shows are losing their televised viewership, people still seem to give these shows attention through the internet, so these numbers could be misleading.

Demographics show that the older generations make up most of the viewers of these televised award shows, while newer generations are more likely to watch using alternative media. While many people are still interested in watching these big events, it seems that only those who have grown up through the ‘80s and ‘90s are willing to sit through these award shows as they air.

As the new age of streaming services welcomes viewers with open arms, many of us have the opportunity to avoid certain obstacles such as commercials and meaningless banter. Whether one is watching these award shows to see a certain award being given, rooting for someone one adores to win or hoping to see a certain artist perform, one has the ability to skip all the rest and go to favorite parts of the show. Many fans will even choose to wait until the show is over and then search through social media for the specific aspects of the show that they wanted to see or catch the highlights.

Another reason why these award shows may be losing viewers is because it seems like nothing new is being brought to the table. Every once in awhile, there is an artist or celebrity who makes a breakthrough in their career and ends up getting snubbed. There have definitely been too many instances where those voting has pushed aside those of color who have made a big impact within the industry, leaving them to go unnoticed.

Racial bias has been part of the public’s criticism of award shows for a very long time and continues to gain attention. Joaquin Phoenix brought a bit of light to this subject during his award speech at the British Academy Film Awards of 2020 saying, “I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you are not welcome here. I think that is the message we are sending to people who have contributed so much to our medium and our industry and in ways that we benefit from. I don’t think anyone wants a handout or preferential treatment, although that is what we give ourselves every year. I think that people just want to be acknowledged and appreciated and respected for their work.”

Phoenix goes on to say more about this issue, admitting that he is that a part of this problem because he has not done enough to help, and also says that it is the obligation of those who created this unjust system to dismantle it.

Many believe what Phoenix said is true–everyone deserves a fair chance, and this faulty system that has been created should be dismantled. As the younger generation thrives alongside newer forms of media, there is a chance for change and equity. Within this new era, streaming services and even social media continue to challenge broadcast television, so there is no way of knowing if these award shows will continue to last for years to come on the same platform. If these shows stay in the same place, bringing in new shows but doing the exact same things, they might just be left in the dust.