{"id":2581301,"date":"2026-03-18T12:33:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T16:33:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/more-people-watched-the-tpusa-halftime-show-than-tuned-in-to-the-oscars\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T12:34:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T16:34:22","slug":"more-people-watched-the-tpusa-halftime-show-than-tuned-in-to-the-oscars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/more-people-watched-the-tpusa-halftime-show-than-tuned-in-to-the-oscars\/","title":{"rendered":"More People Watched TPUSA Halftime Show Than The Oscars"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmore-people-watched-the-tpusa-halftime-show-than-tuned-in-to-the-oscars%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2581301&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Federalist piece argues that the 98th Academy Awards underscored Hollywood\u2019s waning cultural influence and increasing politicization, a trend reflected in dwindling viewership and mixed moments on stage. It notes the ceremony drew about 17.86 million viewers on ABC and Hulu, a 9% drop from last year and the smallest audience since 2022, despite standout moments like Jessie Buckley\u2019s heartfelt tribute. Host Conan O\u2019Brien\u2019 s monologue, which included a jab at Turning Point USA and an aside about an alternate \u201cOscars\u201d hosted by Kid Rock, is depicted as emblematic of the show\u2019s preoccupation with posturing and politics.<\/p>\n<p>The article then points to a rival, conservative response: the All-American Halftime Show during the Super Bowl, featuring Kid Rock and lee Brice, which allegedly garnered over 25 million views on YouTube and Rumble, with the figure likely higher once large-group viewings are counted. It argues that TPUSA\u2019s pre-planned alternative was more resonant with a broader audience than the Oscar ceremony, which the piece frames as having embraced DEI quotas, fashion misfires, and general unpleasantness that contributed to its decline. the piece casts the Oscars as out of step with a national mood that favors non-hollywood entertainment and political messaging, while highlighting Jordan Boyd-the Federalist\u2019s staff writer-as the author.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>For years, Americans turned off by <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2020\/02\/10\/the-oscars-is-no-fun-without-a-host-because-it-takes-itself-too-seriously\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hollywood haughtiness<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/03\/11\/jimmy-kimmel-couldnt-resist-trump-jab-during-refreshingly-unwoke-oscars\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">partisan taunting<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/01\/30\/the-woke-oscars-will-be-entirely-out-of-step-with-the-national-vibe-shift-right\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">general wokeness<\/a> have tuned out of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oscar-winner-kieran-culkin-says-real-reward-is-more-babies\/\" title=\"Oscar Winner Kieran Culkin Says Real Reward Is More Babies\">celebrity awards shows<\/a>. The 98th Academy Awards proved to be no exception.<\/p>\n<p>Sunday night&rsquo;s Oscars only racked up <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2026\/awards\/awards\/oscars-ratings-17-9-million-down-1236691799\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">17.86 million viewers<\/a> on ABC and Hulu combined. That <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/03\/2026-oscars-tv-ratings-viewership-abc-streaming-1236758129\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">9 percent drop<\/a> from the 19.69 million recorded last year made the 2026 Oscars the least-viewed Academy Awards shows since 2022.<\/p>\n<p>While the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >star-studded show<\/a> had its shining moments, including <em>Hamnet<\/em> star Jessie Buckley&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/03\/16\/beautiful-chaos-of-a-mothers-heart-jessie-buckley-uses-oscar-speech-to-honor-husband-daughter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">touching tribute<\/a> to her husband, eight month-old daughter, and motherhood, host Conan O&rsquo;Brien ensured the Oscars didn&rsquo;t stray from its tired old posturing (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2026\/mar\/15\/conan-obrien-opening-oscars-monologue\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&ldquo;these are very chaotic,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2026\/mar\/15\/conan-obrien-opening-oscars-monologue\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">frightening times,&rdquo;<\/a> said the celebrity with a multi-million dollar net worth) and politicization. <\/p>\n<p>Shortly into his speech, O&rsquo;Brien used his time on the mic to take a potshot at Turning Point USA and its alternative Super Bowl halftime show. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I should warn you, tonight could get political. And if that makes you uncomfortable, there&rsquo;s an alternate <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/Oscars?src=hashtag_click\">#Oscars<\/a> hosted by Kid Rock at the Dave &amp; Busters down the street,&rdquo; O&rsquo;Brien quipped. <\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Conan O&rsquo;Brien: &ldquo;I should warn you, tonight could get political. And if that makes you uncomfortable, there&rsquo;s an alternate <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Oscars?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Oscars<\/a> hosted by Kid Rock at the Dave &amp; Busters down the street&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/AkunRe5wd7\">pic.twitter.com\/AkunRe5wd7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Deadline (@DEADLINE) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DEADLINE\/status\/2033322153433817137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>O&rsquo;Brien&rsquo;s joke may have landed at the time, but viewership data proves TPUSA ultimately gets the last laugh. <\/p>\n<p>Unlike the Oscars&rsquo; floundering following, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nJszMT9wZtQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the first All-American Halftime Show<\/a>, featuring artists such as Kid Rock and Lee Brice, garnered 25 million views across YouTube and Rumble. TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet noted shortly after the rival Super Bowl show wrapped that there were &ldquo;a lot of large groups watching together, so the number of viewers is likely far higher.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The All-American Halftime Show pulled in OVER 25 MILLION views on just YouTube and Rumble alone, with a lot of large groups watching together, so the number of viewers is likely far higher. And the numbers are still climbing (broadcast partners, fast channel partners, and final&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/qNw3wfXrXR\">pic.twitter.com\/qNw3wfXrXR<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AndrewKolvet\/status\/2020721839631225101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 9, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The Academy Awards has had nearly a century to establish itself as an essential part of American culture. Instead, the once-popular awards show embraced <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2020\/09\/10\/social-justice-quotas-shouldnt-determine-oscars-best-picture-nominees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DEI <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2021\/04\/27\/oscars-implement-diversity-quotas-but-still-dont-award-top-honors-to-black-films\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">quotas<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2023\/03\/14\/its-time-to-say-goodbye-to-the-naked-dress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hideous fashion<\/a>, and general unpleasantness which only fueled its <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2022\/03\/28\/will-smith-only-stalled-the-oscars-descent-into-obscurity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rapid descent into obscurity<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>TPUSA&rsquo;s alternative to Bad Bunny&rsquo;s expletive-laden performance, on the other hand, was pulled together months before the Super Bowl while staff were still grappling with founder Charlie Kirk&rsquo;s assassination. <\/p>\n<p>The show wasn&rsquo;t simply a celebration enjoyed by average Americans who don&rsquo;t fly in private jets or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/newsletter\/2025-11-14\/erewhon-has-quietly-removed-hailey-biebers-name-from-its-20-strawberry-glaze-skin-smoothie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">drink $20 smoothies<\/a>. It also promoted the eternal hope and peace found in the Gospel truth that &ldquo;there&rsquo;s a man who died for all our sins hanging from the cross.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p>&mdash; Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GrahamAllen\/status\/2020675578995630276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 9, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<hr>\n<p>      Jordan Boyd is an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-cruelty-is-the-point-folks\/\" title=\"The Cruelty Is the Point, Folks\">award-winning staff writer<\/a> at The Federalist and producer of &ldquo;The Federalist Radio Hour.&rdquo; Her work has also been featured in The Daily Wire, Fox News, and RealClearPolitics. Jordan graduated from Baylor University where she majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow her on X @jordanboydtx.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Americans tired of Hollywood snobbery skip awards<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":490,"featured_media":2581302,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-18-at-10.07.25-AM-scaled-e1773846648883.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[546,33651],"tags":[73273,6445,4882,21547,10257],"class_list":["post-2581301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-federalist","category-the-western-journal","tag-halftimeshow","tag-oscars","tag-ratings","tag-tpusa","tag-viewership"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-18-at-10.07.25-AM-scaled-e1773846648883.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581301","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/490"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2581301"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581301\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2581305,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581301\/revisions\/2581305"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2581302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2581301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2581301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2581301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}