The Emmy Awards ended their run of record-low ratings as 7.4 million viewers tuned in for television's version of the Oscars, figures showed Monday.
Bringing back red-carpet fashion and a star-studded – albeit scaled-down – audience, the ceremony enjoyed a 16 per cent increase from 2020's virtual affair, which drew a worst-ever 6.1 million.
"All in all, a wonderful night for television and great way to kick off the new season," said broadcaster CBS.
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'Nailed it!' star Nicole Byer wore custom Christian Siriano. She thanked all the women who came before her to break the couture barrier for plus-size women, and she went for it in the strapless look with sheer layers that flowed to the ground. AFP -
Leslie Odom Jr, in Dolce & Gabbana and Nicolette Robinson in Tony Ward. AP -
Ryan Michelle Bathe, left, and Sterling K Brown on the red carpet. AP -
Michaela Jae 'MJ' Rodriguez in vintage Versace Atelier. AP -
Emma Corrin in custom Miu Miu. Getty Images -
Leon Bridges, left, and Jon Batiste. AP -
Jonathan Groff wearing Paul Smith. AP -
Daniel Levy in Valentino. AP -
Emmy winner Michaela Coel in a Christopher John Rogers gown. AP -
Seth Rogen in an orange Brioni jacket. AP -
Catherine O'Hara in a Cong Tri jumpsuit. AP -
Anthony Anderson. AP -
Mary Elizabeth Winstead, in Zuhair Murad, and Ewan McGregor. AP -
Uzo Aduba, in a Cristina Ottaviano gown, with Robert Sweeting. AP -
Chris Sullivan, left, and Rachel Sullivan. AP -
Anya Taylor-Joy in Dior. AP -
Chuck Lorre, left, and Arielle Lorre. AP -
Susan Kelechi Watson. AP -
Sarah Paulson in Carolina Herrera. AP -
Issa Rae in a custom mesh look in white from Aliette. AFP -
Ellen Pompeo in an Elie Saab jumpsuit. AFP -
Jurnee Smollett in Dior Haute Couture. AP -
Conan O'Brien. AP -
Rachel Winter, left, and William H Macy. Getty Images / AFP -
Amy Poehler. AP -
America Ferrera in a flowing purple gown with spaghetti straps. AP -
Allison Janney in a white Azzi & Osta gown. AFP -
Lauren Ashley Smith. AP -
Angela Bassett in body-hugging Greta Constantine dress. AP -
Beanie Feldstein in a Brandon Maxwell dress. AP -
Trevor Noah in Versace. AP -
Olivia Colman in Roksanda. Getty Images -
Sophia Bush in Markarian. AP -
Emerald Fennell. Getty Images -
Elizabeth Olsen in a white look designed by The Row, the brand of her twin sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley. AFP -
Mandy Moore in Carolina Herrera. AP -
Kate Winslet in Giorgio Armani Prive. AP -
Billy Porter arrives in Ashi Studio. AP -
Gillian Anderson in Chloe. Getty Images -
Jessica Hobbs. Getty Images -
Jason Sudeikis in Tom Ford. AFP -
Cynthia Erivo in a white leather Louis Vuitton mermaid gown. AFP -
Yara Shahidi wore a Cartier necklace of yellow gold, emeralds and diamonds dressed in a princess gown of kelly green by Dior. AFP -
Kaley Cuoco brought the colour in a neon yellow look by Vera Wang. AFP -
Michael Douglas, left, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Getty Images / AFP -
Daniel Dae Kim. Getty Images / AFP -
Jean Smart in Ralph Lauren Collection. Reuters -
Josh O'Connor in custom Loewe. AP -
O-T Fagbenle in a traditional Nigerian look in red with black accents by a Lagos brand, Sofisticat. AP -
Keri Russell in a Zuhair Murad couture gown in rose mauve with feathers surrounding the hem of a caped back. AP -
Kathryn Hahn paired her strapless black Lanvin trouser look with an ultra-wide leather belt and statement neckless of white and green jewels. AP -
Taraji P. Henson in a black and white sequin embroidered tulle look by Elie Saab. AP -
RuPaul wore a black double-breasted jacket with a white swirl pattern on his pants. AFP -
Hannah Waddingham in a custom Christian Siriano. Reuters -
Annie Murphy in Valentino. AFP -
Mindy Kaling in a custom Carolina Herrera dress. AP -
Kerry Washington in a custom Etro dress. AP -
Aidy Bryant collaborated with Simone Rocha for her look. AFP -
Jennifer Coolidge in Christian Siriano. AFP -
RegE-Jean Page in Giorgio Armani. AFP -
Julianne Nicholson in Giambattista Valli. AFP
But the show was still the third-lowest in Emmy ratings history, as audiences for nearly all award shows continue to dwindle.
The Crown, The Queen's Gambit and Ted Lasso scooped the top prizes, marking the first series wins for Netflix and Apple TV+ on a night that saw when streaming platforms assert their dominance over traditional TV networks.
The sole individual prize for one of the major four US networks on the night went to NBC for perennial Emmy winner Saturday Night Live for Outstanding Variety Kketch Series, while CBS left empty-handed.
"Talk about airing one's own funeral," wrote The Hollywood Reporter's Scott Feinberg, who said television's "'changing of the guard' from the cable era to the streaming era" was complete.
CBS said the final Emmys ratings were likely to rise once final figures are confirmed Tuesday, and that streaming of the ceremony doubled since the last time CBS hosted in 2017.
Sunday's Emmys were up against an important NFL match between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.
