Grammy ratings drop 13% from last year

Gary Levin | USA TODAY

This post has been updated with final Nielsen figures.

Sunday's Grammy Awards claimed an average of 24.8 million viewers, down 13% from last year to its lowest turnout since 2009.

Among viewers ages 18 to 49, the 57th annual ceremony dropped 16% from last year, according to final Nielsen figures.

A potential factor: The return of TV's top-rated show among young adults, AMC's The Walking Dead, and the premiere of Breaking Bad spinoff Better Call Saul, both of which aired directly opposite the Grammys in all time zones with strong numbers.

The nearly 3 hour and 45 minute telecast, hosted by LL Cool J, handed out nine awards but featured plenty of performances, and aired at 8 p.m. live ET/delayed PT, a contrast to other major awards shows that in recent years have begun airing live on the West Coast.

Recent Grammy ratings

2014 24.8 million viewers

2013 28.4 million

2012 39.9 million (a record, following the death of Whitney Houston)

2011 26.7 million

2010 25.9 million

2009 19.0 million

Source: Nielsen.