New York, Feb 24 : The 2009 Academy Awards have boosted the tumbling viewers ratings, as the number of people who tuned into their TVs to watch `Slumdog Millionaire' being crowned the best film at the Oscars was much higher than last year's figures.
The annual Oscars drew an estimated 36.3 million viewers, up 4.3 million from last-year''s record low.
It also stands as the most-watched entertainment program of any kind of the past two years, reports the New York Daily News.
London, Feb 24 : Slumdog Millionaire, which is likely to hit the 170-million-pound mark in worldwide ticket sales, following the Oscar sweep nearly went straight to DVD.
Slumdog, which cost only 8.7 million pounds to make, last night scooped eight Oscars, including Best Picture.
According to The Times, studio executives at Warner Bros had decided to sell the distribution rights to Slumdog Millionaire last August - three months before the film''s release.
Washington, Feb 24: Pop princess Britney Spears' one-time manager, Sam Lutfi, has denied that he threatened her with violence.
Spears' father, Jamie, had testified that Lutfi initiated direct communication with the Toxic singer and was harassing her, despite the temporary restraining order that he's under.
But Lutfi has denied all claims, and the restraining order against him has not been changed.
Lyricist, singer had to call off plans to attend ceremony
Oscar winner Gulzar and Jai Ho… singer Sukhwinder Singh were conspicuous by their absence at the award presentation ceremony. They had to cancel their plans at the last moment since they didn't get their visas in time, confirmed sources.
Gulzar was supposed to get the award along with Rahman in the 'best song' category while Sukhwinder was to perform the song along with music director on stage. Sources said that Sukhwinder had to wait till the last minute before being informed that he won't be on the flight to Hollywood.
Rahman took up the mike to sing Jai Ho… in the absence of Sukhwinder during the performance at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.
London, Feb 24: R&B singer Beyonce has been accused on the Internet of having mimed during her Oscar performance on February 22.
The 27-year-old singer was performing a duet with show host Hugh Jackman at LA''s Kodak Theatre, where they paid tribute to musicals, working their way through a medley, including hits from Chicago and Moulin Rouge.
But those watching the performance were sceptical as to whether Beyonce, a. k. a. Sasha Fierce, sang live or had some technical help.
New York, Feb 24 : The 2009 Academy Awards have boosted the tumbling viewers ratings, as the number of people who tuned into their TVs to watch `Slumdog Millionaire' being crowned the best film at the Oscars was much higher than last year's figures.
London, Feb 24 : Slumdog Millionaire, which is likely to hit the 170-million-pound mark in worldwide ticket sales, following the Oscar sweep nearly went straight to DVD.
Washington, Feb 24: Pop princess Britney Spears' one-time manager, Sam Lutfi, has denied that he threatened her with violence. 
London, Feb 24: R&B singer Beyonce has been accused on the Internet of having mimed during her Oscar performance on February 22. 
