Entertainment : 75 Million Watched Oscars on TV

An estimated 75 million American viewers tuned in to the Oscars on ABC, only slightly fewer than last year, when the extravaganza had its highest rating in four years.

According to overnight ratings from the nation’s 17 largest TV markets, as measured by A. C. Nielsen Co., the Academy Awards had an average rating Wednesday night of 36.5 and a 57 share. Last year, when 15 markets were included in the overnight ratings, it had a 37.7 and a 59. The rating is a percentage of total homes with televisions in the markets surveyed. The share is a percentage of sets in use.