BET Awards ratings fall to double digit after record-breaking year

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2016 was a record-breaking year for viewership for the BET Awards, but 2017’s awards couldn’t match up this time around.

Viewership and ratings were both down 19 percent from last year, with a 3.47 rating among adults 18-49 and 5.8 million viewers for the debut of the awards.

Last year, the 2016 BET Awards were up against the season finale of Game of Thrones, and this year, they were up against Starz’ Power, which is the second-most watched premier cable show and had a season premiere running up against the awards show.

However, when it comes to social media, the BET Awards dominated as the top Social Program of the Week and #1 Most Social Cable Special of 2017.

The show was hosted by Leslie Jones and featured performances from the likes of Bruno Mars, Tamar Braxton and Kendrick Lamar as well as a live New Edition reunion. It also featured an appearance by none other than former First Lady Michelle Obama, who appeared on the video screen to give a special tribute to Chance the Rapper as he accepted the 2017 BET Humanitarian Award.