Oscars audience scores hits six year low

The US TV broadcast of this year's Oscars ceremony on Sunday scored the event's lowest ratings in six years, averaging 36.6 million, BBC News reports.

They were down by 16% on last year's ratings, according to Nielsen figures published by Variety.
First-time host Neil Patrick Harris received lukewarm reviews, while some have blamed the drop on a lack of nominations for films with mass appeal.


Last year 43.7 million tuned in when Ellen DeGeneres was at the helm.


DeGeneres had powered the show to a 10-year ratings high and proved a tough act to follow.
Critics were unimpressed by Harris's performance during the three-and-a-half hour awards show, which saw him stripping to his pants for a Birdman and Whiplash inspired sketch - something the LA Times reviewcalled "embarrassing".


Harris has previously won four Primetime Emmys for his skills hosting Broadway's Tony awards.


However The Washington Post commented: "It was bound to happen eventually. Neil Patrick Harris, the man who can host anything, finally stumbled."