Mariska Hargitay stepped in to host this year’s Emmys, and fewer people watched. Monday’s ceremony on NBC drew 6.7 million viewers across all platforms, according to preliminary numbers shared with TVLine. That is down nearly 10 percent from last year’s CBS broadcast, which pulled in 7.42 million viewers hosted by Nate Bargatze.
A Soft Baseline
The decline comes after two years of unusual circumstances. The 2024 Emmys were split into two ceremonies due to the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes, which delayed the 2023 ceremony. One of those broadcasts aired on Fox in January 2024 and drew just 4.4 million linear viewers.
That comparison is worth pausing over. The Fox broadcast was held on a Monday night in January, far from the usual fall slot. It is a soft baseline, and it makes the 6.7 million figure look better than it might otherwise.
Hargitay Takes Over
Hargitay, star of “Law & Order: SVU,” took over hosting duties this year. She opened the show with a tribute to TV screens, a nod to the medium itself. Whether that message landed with viewers who had switched off is unclear.
The Big Winners
The ceremony produced clear standouts. HBO Max’s “The Pitt” won a second straight Emmy for best drama series. Apple TV’s freshman comedy “Widow’s Bay” set a record for the most wins in one year by a comedy series with 14.
The Viewership Picture
The Emmys have faced declining audiences for years. This year’s 6.7 million viewers is the latest data point in that downward line. The comparison against the 2024 Fox broadcast is a deliberate choice, and it softens the picture. But that does not change the underlying trend: audiences have drifted away from the Emmys over the past few years, and this year’s dip continues that pattern.
A Split Year
The 2024 Emmys were held twice. The 2023 ceremony was delayed due to the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes. One broadcast aired on Fox in January 2024 and drew 4.4 million linear viewers.
The Numbers at a Glance
- CBS’s broadcast: 7.42 million viewers, hosted by Nate Bargatze
- NBC’s broadcast: 6.7 million viewers, hosted by Mariska Hargitay
- Fox’s broadcast: 4.4 million linear viewers
- “The Pitt”: second straight win for best drama series
- “Widow’s Bay”: 14 wins, most in one year by a comedy series
The Full List
The full winners’ list is available online. It includes “The Pitt” and “Widow’s Bay.”
The Bottom Line
The Emmys have become a smaller event. That is the honest takeaway from this year’s numbers. The 6.7 million figure is down from last year, and it follows a pattern of decline that has been visible for years. The comparison against the 2024 Fox broadcast is a deliberate choice, and it softens the picture. But that does not change the underlying trend: audiences have drifted away from the Emmys over the past few years, and this year’s dip continues that pattern.
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