Ratings for the 2019 VMAs were lower than ever

Here’s something you probably already knew: awards shows are struggling! Every show from the Oscars to the Grammys to this week’s VMAs has been feeling an increasing decline in viewers, a trend often attributed to a variety of factors including the fact that there are less A-list megastars attending, performing and presenting at these shows to draw in viewers. The Hollywood Reporter reports that ratings are in for the 2019 VMAs, and, for the third year in a row, they’re dismal. The 2019 VMA show bested its predecessor to become the lowest-rated VMAs ever, with a total of 1.93 million viewers, down 14% from last year’s 2.25 million viewers. On the bright side, MTV is reporting high social and online engagement, supposedly up 85%. Sounds about right for a show that was, in our estimation, totally fine and little more.

Listen to The FADER's weekly playlist of songs you need in your life