Oscar Ratings Up

This year's Oscarcast wasn't as critically adored as last year's, but at least it improved upon it in the ratings. The ceremony attracted 41.3 million viewers, up 15% from last year and the best result since 2005. It would have done even better if ABC and Cablevision had resolved their dispute before the show began airing in New York, but on the other hand, at least those viewers had Neil Patrick Harris's superfluous opening trimmed by default. Bright sides! [The Wrap]