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The much argued-over changes to the Oscars TV show format appear to have paid off, with an increase of more than 11% in audience ratings for this year’s edition, The Guardian reports.

With no main host, a shortened running time, and an absence of convoluted comedy skits, the telecast looked considerably different from the year before, which had scored record low viewership figures of 26.5m.

However, figures from Nielsen’s audience measuring system show that this year’s Oscars scored 29.6m, with a 7.7 rating in the coveted 18-49 age demographic. An overall increase of 11.1%, this represents the first upward movement since 2014 – but still is the second lowest ever audience figure. Conversely, the Oscars remains the most watched non-sport live event on US TV.

The ratings hike will come as good news for the beleaguered Academy management, who had come under increasing criticism for a series of disastrously received proposals to try and invigorate the show and prevent its audience decline.