According to Nielsen’s ``Fast National’’ ratings, ABC’s Oscar broadcast attracted 36.3 million viewers, improving upon last year’s all-time low of 32 million viewers, and was the second most watched entertainment telecast of the year, surpassing the season premiere of Fox's ``American Idol ''on January 13, which attracted 30.4 million viewers.
        The traditional prelude to the Hollywood extravaganza, ``Oscar Red Carpet 2009’’ pulled in 24.3 million viewers, an increase of 2.3 million viewers from last year.
        With more interactive features and videos, Oscar.com also benefited with 15 percent more visitors compared with last year.
        The highest rated Oscar broadcast came in 1998, when 55.3 million viewers tuned in to see the motion picture ``Titanic’’ sweep all categories, including Best Picture.

-Bill Lucey
wplucey@gmail.com