Takeaways:
- The 2025 Golden Globes retained its strong viewership, closely mirroring last year’s four-year high.
- Nikki Glaser’s hosting and FX’s Shōgun dominated the night with standout performances and wins.
- Audience engagement remained steady across key demographics, signaling continued interest in the awards show.
The 2025 Golden Globes maintained its momentum, drawing an audience of 9.3 million viewers for Sunday evening’s telecast hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser. According to Nielsen ratings, this marked only a 2% decline compared to last year’s four-year high of 9.4 million viewers—a minor dip that highlights the event’s consistent popularity.
Ratings Breakdown: Key Demographics Shine
While overall viewership saw a slight decrease, the Globes held steady in the coveted 18-49 age demographic, earning a 1.8 rating. Impressively, the show experienced a 3% uptick in the 25-54 demographic, rising to a 2.3 rating. This surge suggests that the Globes continue to resonate strongly with a mature yet diverse audience.
Golden Globe Highlights: Nikki Glaser Steals the Show
Nikki Glaser’s zinger-filled opening monologue set the tone for a lighthearted and engaging evening. TVLine readers awarded her performance an average grade of “A-”, and early buzz indicates she may return as host for next year’s ceremony. Her relatable humor and effortless charisma breathed new life into the awards, making her a standout element of the night.
TV’s Big Winners: A Night for Shōgun and More
FX’s Shōgun emerged as the evening’s biggest winner in the television categories, taking home four major awards:
- Best Female Actor in a Drama: Anna Sawai
- Best Male Actor in a Drama: Hiroyuki Sanada
- Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Tadanobu Asano
- Best Drama Series
Other notable TV wins included:
- Hacks: Best Musical or Comedy Series and Best Female Actor in a Musical or Comedy (Jean Smart).
- Netflix’s Baby Reindeer: Best Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Made-for-TV Movie and Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Jessica Gunning).
These victories highlighted the diversity and quality of storytelling dominating today’s television landscape.
Challenges and Trends: Data Reporting and Audience Dynamics
This year, CBS’s preliminary audience figures (10.1 million viewers) relied on VideoAmp Overnight Data due to an ongoing contract dispute with Nielsen. These discrepancies underline the challenges of accurately measuring year-over-year growth amidst evolving methodologies.
Still, the Golden Globes’ ability to sustain strong viewership against stiff competition—including NBC’s Sunday Night Football finale—is a testament to its enduring appeal. Last year’s ceremony, hosted by Jo Koy, saw a significant boost due to an NFL lead-in, drawing 9.4 million viewers.
Looking Ahead
The Golden Globes remain a cultural touchstone, offering a mix of glamour, humor, and recognition for outstanding talent in film and television. With audience engagement remaining steady and early speculation about Nikki Glaser’s potential return, the awards show is poised to captivate viewers once again in 2026.
