ACM Ratings Jump 21 Percent
The 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards significantly increased its ratings for the second consecutive year. The show’s ratings were up 21% overall from 2008, drawing nearly 15 million viewers and earning the top spot for the night for the CBS Television Network during every hour of the April 5 telecast. The Awards brought in the largest audience since 1998, with about 3 million more viewers than last year. According to Nielsen Media Research, the Awards placed seventh for the entire week — behind American Idol and the series finale of ER.
Industry averages have shown sales increases of more than 20% during the week that precedes the Easter holiday, but the ACM Awards had an even greater impact on record sales for artists who performed at the event. According to Nielsen Soundscan, Lee Ann Womack’s sales increased 117%, Sugarland’s sales increased 112%, Carrie Underwood’s sales increased 99%. Taylor Swift’s sales increased 98% and George Strait’s sales increased 94%. Julianne Hough saw sales increase 110% and Kellie Pickler showed an increase in sales of 174%. Trace Adkins’ sales increased 98% for American Man: Greatest Hits Vol. I & II and a whopping 110% for X, featuring “Til The Last Shot’s Fired,” which he performed on the Awards with the West Point Glee Club. Additionally, Wounded Warrior Project has received almost $50,000 in direct contributions through its dedicated ACM Lifting Lives donation page and from live audience viewers who made donations on-site following the Awards.
“We’ve virtually doubled our audience, reaching 47% more viewers in 2008 and 2009 combined,” said Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music. “And I believe we still have room to grow. We are already planning next year’s show and considering how to elevate viewership.”
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Well that’s good for most of the artists but it appears that Julianne has once again put her singing on the backburner. First dancing and now she is going into acting. I’m starting to think that this girl isn’t really a singer but rather just wants whatever makes her famous at the moment. How sad that this is our Best New Artist. Can we take back the award?
Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music is “considering how to elevate viewership.” I think the best way is to advertise that someone will be performing with or for our troops, like Trace Adkins with the West Point Glee Club. Also, supporting the Wounded Warrior Project was KEY to the success and increase sales of each artist who performed. If people know that the program honors active duty military or our veterans, they will be watching, especially country music shows. If every event on TV sponsored a non-profit group to contribute to, the country would be more educated about the causes and happy to have given to such an honorable program!