Ratings: CMA Awards Draws Over 12 Million On Competitive Night

Five-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Garth Brooks shares remarks Wednesday during a press conference following “The 50th Annual CMA Awards.” Photo: ABC/Brett Oronzio

ABC’s broadcast of The 50th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 2 attracted 12.6 million total viewers, with a 2.9 rating in adults ages 18-49. (Live and same day results reported by ABC). This is down from last year’s 13.6 million and 3.8, but the awards extravaganza was up against serious competition from an historic World Series Game 7.

The Chicago Cubs’ first World Series title in 108 years attracted 39.2 million viewers and a 12.1 rating, according to Zap2It. The game on Fox was TV’s top telecast since the Super Bowl.

Airing against the game, The 50th Annual CMA Awards is projected to deliver its biggest-ever lifts in TV playback. Last year’s playback earned a 13 percent and +0.5 rating bump.

The awards broadcast was also available for streaming on abc.go.com.

CMA Awards Viewership (live and same day)
2015—13.6 million viewers
2014—16.1 million
2013—16.8 million
2012— 13.6 million
2011—16.3 million
2010—16.45 million
2009—17.2 million
2008 —15.9 million