According to time zone-adjusted Nielsen "fast national" figures released Monday, it was NBC's most-watched prime-time entertainment telecast in the 18-to-49 demographic since last year's Golden Globes.
Carried by NBC from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time, the program aired live in every time zone for the second year in a row.
British comedian-actor Ricky Gervais returned as host, irreverently lampooning many of the nominees, presenters and even the sponsoring Hollywood Foreign Press Association.