Oscar host Seth MacFarlane boosts TV ratings

London: Seth MacFarlane, who hosted this year`s Academy Awards, helped the Oscars attract a US TV audience of 40.3 million, a million more than last year.

According to the ABC network, this year`s show drew the largest Oscar audience for three years, the BBC reported. Last year`s show, which was hosted by comedian Billy Crystal , was viewed by 39.3 million, while 2011`s broadcast was watched by 37.6 million people. The statistics company Nielsen said the 39-year-old actor - known for producing hit TV shows like `Family Guy` - involvement helped boost interest among young men and the 18- to 49-year-old age group. Figures for the latter demographic, much coveted by TV advertisers, were up 11 percent on last year, while the 18- to 34-year-old male audience saw a 34 percent increase. Reaction to MacFarlane`s performance has been mixed, with Rolling Stone saying that he resembled a "bumbling rookie" in his first stab at Oscar host while New Yorker said that watching the three-and-a-half hour show "meant sitting through a series of crudely sexist antics." He fared better with fellow members of the Hollywood community, Russell Crowe said that MacFarlane "did great" and "handled it all with grace," while former Oscar host Steve Martin said he was "wonderful." ANI