BRIT Awards 2022 pulls in record low ratings of just 2.7 million viewers after ‘woke’ ceremony
BRIT Awards 2022 pulls in just 2.7 million viewers – its lowest ratings EVER – after ‘woke’ ceremony sparked backlash with gender neutral nominations
The ceremony saw record low viewers when it was broadcast on ITV on TuesdayIt was also beaten by BBC’s newest drama This Is Going To HurtThe Brits have seen a steady decline in viewership with 9.86 million tuning into the ceremony in 1999Ceremony saw Adele scoop three gongs, including Album of the Year, and the newly gender neutral Artist Of The Year
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The 2022 BRIT Awards with Mastercard pulled in 2.7 million viewers during its broadcast on Tuesday, a record low.
Despite a star-studded lineup that included Ed Sheeran, Liam Gallagher and Adele‘s first appearance at the awards in five years, ratings were once again down on the previous year, and a far cry from 9.8 million viewers who tuned in in 1999.
Ahead of the ceremony, which was also streamed on the ITV Hub, the BRITs had faced backlash for its decision to go ‘woke’ by scrapping male and female categories.
Going down…: The 2022 BRIT Awards with Mastercard pulled in 2.7 million viewers during its broadcast on Tuesday, a record low
According to overnight figures, less than three million viewers tuned into the BRIT Awards on ITV, with the one-off show beaten by BBC’s newest drama This Is Going To Hurt.
The series, which is based on memoir penned by former doctor Adam Kay and stars Ben Whishaw in the lead role, pulled in 3.2 million viewers.
The Brits have seen a steady decline in viewership with 9.86 million tuning into the ceremony in 1999, when Robbie Williams won Single Of The Year for his hit Angel, while Manic Street Preachers scooped Album of the Year.
Throwback: Despite a star-studded lineup, ratings were once again down on the previous year, and a far cry from 9.8 million viewers who tuned in in 1999 (pictured)
Triumph: The ceremony was also beaten by BBC’s newest drama This Is Going To Hurt (Ben Whishaw pictured) which pulled in 3.2 million viewers
Numbers rebounded slightly in 2012, when Adele took to the stage to accept Album Of The Year for her record 21, a year after her iconic performance of Somone Like You.
Last year’s ceremony, which had been delayed from its usual February date until May due to the Covid pandemic, saw 2.9 million viewers tune in.
This year’s BRITs saw a star-studded lineup with performances from stars including Ed Sheeran, Anne-Marie and Sam Fender, Adele was no doubt the headline, with a performance of her song I Drink Wine.
Frontman: The ceremony kicked off at 8pm on both ITV and the ITV Hub and was presented by Mo Gilligan for the first time
The hitmaker was also the big winner of the evening, scooping three awards including the newly-merged Artist Of The Year.
Late last year it was announced that the BRIT Awards have gone gender neutral by scrapping male and female categories.
Bosses claimed the move was in a bid ‘to be as inclusive and as relevant as possible’ and allowed people to enter who do not identify as a man or woman.
But fans blasted the change as ‘woke drivel’, with many calling for a boycott of the show.
Grand: The ceremony saw a slew of stars taking to the stage, including Ed Sheeran, who also scooped Songwriter of the Year
The changes came after singer Sam Smith – who identifies as non-binary – put organisers under pressure to scrap male and female categories earlier this year.
The ceremony kicked off at 8pm on ITV and was presented by Mo Gilligan for the first time, with Maya Jama hosting the red carpet.
Adele was presented with the prestigious Mastercard Album of the Year for the third time, having won for her previous two albums in 2012 and 2016 – the only solo artist in BRITs history to have won this award three times.
The songstress also became the first ever recipient of the BRITs’ inaugural Artist of the Year award, with her third victory claimed with the win for Song of the Year for Easy On Me.
During her speech, Adele alluded to the awards’ recent change to its categories, saying: ‘I understand why the name of this award has changed. But I really love being a woman and being a female artist I do I’m really proud of us’.
Some fans have already said she offended non-binary people and branded her a TERF – a derogatory term for a feminist who excludes the rights of transgender women also thrown at the singer’s friend JK Rowling.
Iconic: Adele (pictured during her performance) scooped three gongs, including Album of the Year, and the newly gender neutral Artist Of The Year
Despite the furore, publicists who have represented some of the world’s biggest stars told MailOnline that Adele’s stance on the genderless Brit Award will be good for her career – branding her ‘musical Teflon’.
The International counterparts to these new categories similarly saw two unbeatable global artists celebrated; with Billie Eilish picking up International Artist of the Year and Olivia Rodrigo presented with International Song of the Year for Good 4 U – the biggest selling international single of the year in the UK.
The recipient of the BRITs’ first ever Songwriter of the Year award tonight went to Ed Sheeran before he performed a second number, The Joker and The Queen later in the show.
Having picked up two awards last year, Dua Lipa, was awarded with Pop/R&B Act, and having received her first ever BRIT nominations this year, while Becky Hill was awarded Dance Act.
Alternative/Rock Act went to Sam Fender (bringing his UK record label Polydor’s tally of trophies up to 5), who later in the show went on to wow the audience with a performance of his Top Ten hit single Seventeen Going Under.
British rap royalty Dave was presented with the award for Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act by Arsenal legends Ian Wright and Bukayo Saka, and closed the ceremony with a triumphant performance of In The Fire, where he was joined by fellow rappers Ghetts, Giggs, Fredo, Konyikeh and Meekz.
