Miss Universe ratings down despite dramatic blunder

Miss Universe ratings are down from last year.

Or as host Steve Harvey might say: Up from last year.

Fox’s telecast had 6.2 million viewers and a 1.7 rating among adults 18–49 on Sunday night.

That’s down 15 percent in the demo and 18 percent in viewers from last year.

One difference is that last year’s program aired on NBC in January. Another is that Donald Trump is no longer involved with the Miss Universe Organization after splitting with fellow co-owner NBC earlier this year in the wake of launching his bid for president. NBC had the ability to cross-promote Miss Universe and Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice.

The telecast was awkwardly capped by Harvey initally crowning the wrong winner, with the tiara going to runner-up Miss Colombia instead of the actual winner, Miss Phillipines. Harvey apologized “wholeheartedly” for the seeming mistake.

WANT MORE EW? Subscribe now to keep up with the latest in movies, television, and music.

Trump weighed in on the flub on Twitter, saying “Very sad what happened last night at the Miss Universe Pageant. I sold it 6 months ago for a record price. This would never have happened!”

On the Today show, however, Trump more kindly noted “things happen … it’s live television,” and that Harvey is a “great guy.”

The GOP candidate also suggested that Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutiérrez, and Miss Phillipines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, be named co-winners.