In terms of viewers the ABC-screened Oscars only lags behind the Super Bowl (98 million) and the AFC Championship (40m). However, it is still the third lowest figure for the ceremony in 40 years.
To raise viewing figures event organisers made a number of changes to the format including asking some celebrities to avoid the red carpet so viewers would keep watching to see them later on.
It also eschewed the tradition of using a comedian to host the event and brought in actor Hugh Jackman to take on the role instead.
According to figures from Nielsen there was a 13% rise in the rating of adults aged between 18 and 49 who watched the event. While surprisingly the number of male viewers aged 18 to 34 rose by 22%.
Despite the rise in US viewers fewer of them were likely to have seen the best picture nominees, 'Milk', 'Slumdog Millionaire', 'The Reader', 'Frost/ Nixon' and 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button', which were largely independent in nature.
'Slumdog Millionaire', which was funded by Channel 4's Film Four, was the big winner on the night taking the eight categories including Best Picture and Best Director.
The haul of Oscars represented Britain's best showing in Hollywood for 12 years bringing home at total of 11 in all as Kate Winslet won best actress for 'The Reader'.
PM Gordon Brown said Britain's strong showing at the Academy Awards proves the UK film industry is leading the world.
He said he was "incredibly proud" of the country's successes.
Picture Credit: Anne Siegel.
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