It was a night that saw history made when Raye won a record-breaking six Brit Awards despite being told by her former record label she would never make music again.
But it appears Saturday night’s feel-good story of Raye’s redemption was not enough to save the music award show after it suffered its lowest-ever viewing figures in the last decade.
With an average of 2.5million, the award ceremony lost 900,000 viewers from last year and an industry source told MailOnline the blame is being put on their being ‘no big US name’ and ‘no memorable duets’.
Peak viewership this year reached 3million, and averaged at 2.5million, whereas last year’s show peaked at 3.9million and averaged at 3.3million.
The industry insider continued: ‘It is meant to be the music industry’s big showcase event. And it’s lost its sparkle.’
It was a night that saw history made when Raye won a record-breaking six Brit Awards despite being told by her former record label she would never make music again
But it appears Saturday night’s feel-good story of Raye’s redemption was not enough to save the music award show after it suffered its lowest-ever viewing figures in the last decade (Dua Lipa pictured)
With an average of 2.5million, the award ceremony lost 900,000 viewers from last year and an industry source told MailOnline the blame is being put on their being ‘no big US name’ and ‘no memorable duets’ (Kylie Minogue pictured)
Topping the performance bill this year were the likes of Ellie Goulding and Calvin Harris, winner of the Global Icon Award Kylie Minogue and Dua Lipa – but the lineup only managed to attract 2.5million viewers.
Compared to last year, the drop in figures is substantial as the 2023 Brit Awards saw 3.3million people tune in – the highest number in seven years – with performances from Harry Styles, Lizzo and Wet Leg.
Since 2016, which recorded 6.2million, the Brits has seen a year-on-year decline in viewing figures and hit an all-time low in 2022 with just 2.7million viewers.
Last year was praised for bucking the trend after a 3.3million tuned in to see Harry Styles perform and win four gongs for his third studio album Harry’s House.
It is believed that the British heartthrob, 30, and the fact organisers moved the show to a weekend was behind the uncharacteristic rise in viewership.
Bosses were hopeful viewing figures had turned a corner but this year’s show broke records for two reasons – the highest number of gongs won in one night by Raye but the lowest viewing figures to date.
The low figure is even more concerning for ITV bosses when compared to the award ceremony’s heyday at the turn of the millennium when it attracted an average of nine million viewers.
The most popular year on record for The Brits was 1999 when 9.8million tuned in to see Robbie Williams win three awards including for his hit single Angels.
Compared to last year, the drop in figures is substantial as the 2023 Brit Awards saw 3.3million people tune in – the highest number in seven years (Lizzo pictured at last year’s Brits)
Last year was praised for bucking the trend after a 3.3million tuned in to see Harry Styles perform and win four gongs for his third studio album Harry’s House (pictured)
The most popular year on record for The Brits was 1999 when 9.8million tuned in to see Robbie Williams win three awards including for his hit single Angels (pictured)
This year’s awards saw Raye, 26, break the record for the most BRITs won at a single ceremony, which previously stood at four, jointly held by Blur (1995), Adele (2016) and Harry Styles (2023).
The singer-songwriter was left in floods of tears as she scooped Song of the Year, Album Of The Year, Artist Of The Year, Songwriter of the Year, Best R&B Act and Best New Artist.
The night was dominated by female winners, who won gongs in all but four categories.
As well as Raye’s huge successes, Dua won best pop act while Kylie – who had a massive comeback hit last year with Padam Padam – picked up the global icon award.
Dua gushed to her fans: ‘I guess for more reasons than one my fans are the reasons why I’m standing here today, so I wanna say a massive thank you to each and every single one of you who have voted for me.’
A record 98 artists were up for the new 2024 BRIT award, which has been designed by British visual artist and painter Rachel Jones.
The only men to get accolades were Calvin Harris for dance act; Sheffield quartet Bring Me The Horizon in the alternative/rock category; Casisdead for best hip-hop, grime or rap act; and duo Jungle for group of the year.
This year’s awards saw Raye, 26, break the record for the most BRITs won at a single ceremony, which previously stood at four, jointly held by Blur (1995), Adele (2016) and Harry Styles (2023)
As well as Raye’s huge successes, Dua won best pop act while Kylie – who had a massive comeback hit last year with Padam Padam – picked up the global icon award
Dua opening the ceremony with her new song Training Season from her upcoming her third studio album, before Ellie, 37, stormed the stage just a week after announcing the end of her marriage (Ellie pictured)
Miley Cyrus was a notable absentee on the night, sending her thanks for her International Song win for her smash hit Flowers in a video message.
‘Hello to everybody at the Brits. I wanted to say thank you so much for voting Flowers as the international song of the year, and a special thank you for giving me somewhere to wear this dress, she said, showing off her minuscule gold number.
‘It’s incredible to win but the real prize is having this incredible song hit around the world. I know this video is a little short but I just wanted it to match my dress.’
Dua opening the ceremony with her new song Training Season from her upcoming her third studio album, before Ellie, 37, stormed the stage just a week after announcing the end of her marriage.
The evening ended with Dua presenting Kylie with the Global Icon Award, leading into the Aussie popstar’s finale performance.
‘Alright I’m just gonna be sobbing with Raye, you did that!’ an emotional Kylie said as she took to the stage.
‘You did that. Brits, thank you so much. I really tried to think hard about what to say tonight but I knew I couldn’t plan anything and I knew it’d be just about the emotion.’
‘For some of you it’s been a lifetime – 36 years and counting of experiences together and the thing that really gets me is the love of music and connection with people … I have friends in this room that I’ve worked with through the years.’
The pop superstar then took to the stage for a medley of her greatest hits including her recent chart smash Padam Padam, Can’t Get You Out Of My Head, Slow and Love At First Sight.
BRIT AWARDS 2024 WINNERS
SONG OF THE YEAR
Calvin Harris – Miracle
Casso x RAYE – Prada
Central Cee – Let Go
Dave – Sprinter
Dua Lipa – Dance the Night
Ed Sheeran – Eyes Closed
J Hus – Who Told You
Kenya Grace – Strangers
Lewis Capaldi – Wish You The Best
Pink Pantheress – Boy’s a Liar
RAYE – Escapism – WINNER
Rudimental – Dancing is Healing
Stormzy – Firebae
Switch Disco – React
Venebee – Messy in Heaven
BEST NEW ARTIST
Mahalia
Olivia Dean
Pinkpantheress
RAYE – WINNER
Yuseff Dayes
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Arlo Parks
Central Cee
Dave
Dua Lipa
Fred Again…
J Hus
Jessie Ware
Little Simz
Olivia Dean
RAYE – WINNER
GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blur
Chase & Status
Headie One and K-Trap
Jungle – WINNER
Young Fathers
INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blink 182
Boygenius – WINNER
Foo fighters
Gabriels
Paramore
DANCE ACT
Barry Can’t Swim
Becky Hill
Calvin Harris – WINNER
Fred Again…
Romy
R&B ACT
Cleo Sol
Jorja smith
Mahalia
RAYE – WINNER
Sault
ALTERNATIVE ROCK
Blur
Bring Me The Horizon – WINNER
The Rolling Stones
Young Fathers
Yusseff Dayes
HIP HOP/GRIME/RAP ACT
Casisdead – WINNER
Central Cee
Dave
J Hus
Little Simz
POP ACT
Calvin Harris
Charli XCX
Dua Lipa – WINNER
Olivia Dean
RAYE
INTERNATIONAL ARTIST
Asake
Burna Boy
Caroline Polachek
CMAT
Kylie Minogue
Lana del Rey
Miley Cyrus
Olivia Rodrigo
SZA – WINNER
Taylor Swift
INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR
Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For
David Kushner – Daylight
Doja Cat – Paint The Town Red
Jazzy – Giving Me
Libianca – People
Meghan Trainer – Made You Look
Miley Cyrus – Flowers – WINNER
Noah Kahan – Stick Season
Oliver Tree – Miss you
Olivia Rodrigo – Vampire
Peggy Gou – It Goes Like
Rema – Calm Down
SZA – Kill Bill
Tate McRae – Greedy –
Tyla – Water
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Blur – the Ballad of Darren
J Hus – Beautiful
Little Simz – No Thank You
RAYE – My 21st Century Blues – WINNER
Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy
BRIT RISING STAR
Caity Baser
Sekou Island
The Last Dinner Party – WINNER
