Maybe the populace is no longer interested in their self-congratulatory idols?
"Live events like awards shows were supposed to be what saves broadcast TV. But even while they’re stuck at home in the middle of a pandemic, viewers have lost interest in kudocasts — and the ratings declines this year don’t bode well for the future of the form.
"The recent performance of the Golden Globes, Grammys and SAG Awards should make the producers of this month’s Oscars nervous. So far this year, year-to-year viewership for The CW’s Critics Choice Awards dropped 69%; NBC’s Golden Globes ceremony was down 62%; TNT and TBS’ simulcast of the SAG Awards dipped 52%; and CBS’ Grammys telecast fell 51%…."
(I did try to embed link, and also a different way. No go)
https://variety.com/2021/tv/awards/oscars-awards-show-ratings-1234951546/