2018 Country Music Awards (Screenshot)

Despite hosting a politically-free event in which participants repeatedly saluted U.S. military veterans, and even paid tribute to the victims of the November 7 shooting in Thousand Oaks, California – with a moment of silence, not political speeches – Wednesday night’s Country Music Awards (CMA) appears to have suffered the effect of Americans’ growing distaste for didactic, propaganda-filled awards programs.

This year's CMA show audience plummeted 34% from 2017, hitting a record low, Variety reports:

“The 2018 CMA Awards posted a new all-time low in the overnight ratings, shedding a massive chunk of the show’s audience from last year.” “Airing from 8-11 p.m. on ABC, the awards telecast is currently at a 2.1 rating in adults 18-49 and 10.1 million viewers. Last year’s telecast drew a 3.2 rating and 14.3 million viewers, meaning this year is down a whopping 34% in the demo and 29% in total viewers.”

A Media Research Center-sponsored poll by McLaughlin & Associates released last month found that 43% of respondents nationwide say they’re “less likely to watch” live entertainment shows “because they’ve gotten to political.”

What’s more, three-quarters (74%) say they actually watch live sports and entertainment shows (like the CMAs) “to get away from politics and do not want to be bombarded with partisan political messages.”