This year's Oscars audience plummeted by more than half to a record low 9.85 million viewers, broadcaster ABC said on Monday -- a staggering if widely expected drop for a ceremony that many viewers found short on humour and star power.

No golden numbers: Oscars audience halved in massive ratings drop

It was the night of a lifetime for Chloe Zhao, as the 'Nomadland' director created history for being the first woman of colour and only the second woman in the 93 years of Academy history to bag the Best Director trophy.

Oscars 2021: 'Nomadland' becomes the big winner of a historic night

The Oscars telecast on Sunday, stripped to its bare essentials by constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, exhibited a look and feel like no others - devoid of the usual comedy and musical performances but chock full of lengthy oratory from the winners.

Pandemic-constrained Oscars feature more oratory, less music, comedy

Oscars 2021: Everything you need to know about the big night