The 2017 Oscars delivered with laughs and surprises, but not in the ratings. According to Nielsen, this year's audience dropped 4 percent from the 2016 Oscars, which drew 34.4 million viewers. In comparison, the 2008 Oscars averaged 32 million viewers. The Oscars are still expected to be the most-watched non-sporting event on U.S. television this year.