Lady Gaga Meat Dress, Cher Pull In High Ratings for Video Music Awards
NEW YORK (CBS) Chelsea Handler's hosting abilities may have gotten mixed reviews, but that didn't stop MTV's "Video Music Awards" from pulling in high ratings.
The annual pop music event drew its biggest audience for any telecast on the network since 2002.
Pictures: 2010 MTV VMAs Red Carpet
Pictures: VMA's Show Highlights
Pictures: VMA's Backstage
Pictures: Lady Gaga's Eye-Catching Style
Read More: Lady Gaga Wins Top Honors
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 2010 "Video Music Awards" (VMAs) had 11.4 million viewers, up 27 percent from 2009. In the network's 12-34 demo, the show pulled a 10.0 rating, up 33 percent.
Recent VMAs have shown a marked improvement from the telecast's ratings slump a few years ago, such as when the 2006 music awards drew only 5.8 million viewers. Last year's audience (9 million) was the most-watched since 2004.
The show this year featured Lady Gaga in three outfits with eight awards as well as Taylor Swift and Kanye West performing new songs (their "drama" from last year and responses garnered buzz from viewers who were curious to see what the two would do next).
Though the VMAs lacked a single nuclear-buzz moment, MTV has been experiencing high ratings this summer thanks to surprise, breakout success of "Jersey Shore." The network aired a season two marathon of the reality hit leading up to Sunday's awards show's telecast.
Watch highlights from the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards:
