The 2022 BRIT Awards with Mastercard garnered in 2.7 million people during its broadcast on Tuesday.
Despite a star-studded lineup that included Ed Sheeran, Liam Gallagher and Adele's first appearance at the Oscars in five years, viewership still slipped from the 2.9 million people that watched last year.
Brit Awards 2022 Low Ratings Due to Wokeness?
Ahead of the ceremony, which was also aired on the ITV Hub and YouTube, the BRITs had faced controversy for its decision to become 'woke' by abolishing male and female categories.
The series, which is based on book published by former doctor Adam Kay and stars Ben Whishaw in the starring role, brought in 3.2 million people.
Current ratings don't taking into account viewers that watched the event on YouTube, with those data still to be disclosed.
The Brits have experienced a continuous fall in popularity with 9.86 million tuning into the ceremony in 1999, when Robbie Williams won Single Of The Year for his smash Angel, while Manic Street Preachers claimed Album of the Year.
Numbers returned marginally in 2012, when Adele went to the stage to receive Album Of The Year for her record 21, a year after her legendary performance of Somone Like You.
Last year's event, which had been postponed from its regular February date until May owing to the Covid epidemic, saw 2.9 million viewers tune in.
This year's BRITs witnessed a star-studded program with performances from singers such Ed Sheeran, Anne-Marie and Sam Fender, Adele was no doubt the highlight, with a performance of her song I Drink Wine.
The hitmaker was also the main winner of the evening, taking three prizes including the newly-merged Artist Of The Year.
Late last year it was reported that the BRIT Awards had gone gender neutral by removing male and female categories.
Bosses said the decision was in an attempt 'to be as inclusive and as relevant as possible' and enabled anyone to enter who do not identify as a male or woman.
Sam Smith To Blame?
But fans criticised the alteration as 'woke rubbish', with several calling for a boycott of the show.
The adjustments come after artist Sam Smith - who identifies as non-binary - placed organisers under pressure to remove male and female categories earlier this year.
The event began place at 8pm on ITV and was presented by Mo Gilligan for the first time, with Maya Jama presenting the red carpet.
Adele was honoured with the coveted Mastercard Album of the Year for the third time, having won for her previous two albums in 2012 and 2016 - the only solo artist in BRITs history to have received this award three times.
The vocalist also became the first ever recipient of the BRITs' inaugural Artist of the Year award, with her third success grabbed with the win for Song of the Year for Easy On Me.
During her address, Adele referenced to the awards' recent modification to its categories, saying: 'I understand why the name of this award has changed. But I genuinely enjoy being a woman and being a female artist I do I'm very proud of us'.
Some admirers have already stated she offended non-binary individuals and labeled her a TERF - a disparaging word for a feminist who ignores the rights of transgender women also tossed at the singer's pal JK Rowling.
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