Down slightly from last year’s monster performance, Sunday’s 49th Annual ACM Awards ceremony still ranked as the highest-rated program on network television.
Some moments, however, attracted a larger audience than others.
According to half-hour data from the Nielsen Fast Nationals, the show drew its strongest adults 18-49 rating (3.6) during the 9:30-10PM half hour. The 9-9:30PM portion, meanwhile, drew the night’s largest overall audience (14.77 million).
The 9:30-10PM segment, which drew the aforementioned 3.6 with 14.55 million viewers, featured Jason Aldean’s performance of “When She Says Baby,” Miranda Lambert’s single record of the year victory and performance of “Automatic,” Lee Brice’s song of the year victory and Tim McGraw & Faith Hill’s performance of “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s.”
The preceding half-hour, which drew a 3.5 rating alongside its 14.77 million viewer average, featured Florida Georgia Line’s win for vocal duo of the year (presented by Taylor Swift), the Blake Shelton/Luke Bryan “selfie” bit, Lady Antebellum’s duet with Stevie Nicks, Keith Urban’s performance of “Even the Stars Fall 4 U,” Kip Moore’s brief rendition of “Somethin’ Bout a Truck,” Luke Bryan’s performance of “Play it Again” and Justin Moore’s victory for new artist.
While their viewership tallies slipped, both the 10PM and 10:30PM half hours also drew 3.5 ratings.
The 10-10:30PM segment, which posted a 3.5 and 14.27 million, featured Florida Georgia Line’s & Luke Bryan’s performance of “This is How We Roll,” Jason Aldean’s win for male vocalist, Toby Keith’s performance of “Shut Up and Hold On,” The Band Perry’s win for vocal group of the year and Hunter Hayes’ rendition of “Invisible.”
The 10:30PM-11PM portion, which garnered a 3.5 and 14.17 million, featured Miranda Lambert’s win for female vocalist, Darius Rucker’s & Lady Antebellum’s performance of “Wagon Wheel,” Kacey Musgraves’ win for album of the year, the tribute to Merle Haggard, Rascal Flatts’ controversial version of “Rewind,” Dierks Bentley’s duet with Sheryl Crow and George Strait’s win for entertainer of the year.
