By James Hibberd, Jon Lafayette

ABC’s telecast of “The 79th Annual Academy Awards” was up a tick from last year’s performance, though it still ranks as one of the lower-rated broadcasts of the event.

The Oscars earned a 14.0 rating among adults 18 to 49 (39.9 million viewers), according to ABC’s fast national Nielsen ratings. Last year’s show earned a 13.9.

ABC noted the show was the most-watched entertainment broadcast of the season and that Oscar’s 18-34 rating was its highest in five years.

The telecast won the night for ABC, which also aired a Barbara Walters Oscar special, which earned a 6.0.

The other networks largely aired repeats against the traditional heavy ratings draw.

Due to an overrun of NASCAR, Fox came in second with its field of animated comedy repeats.

CBS was third, with the second episode of “The Amazing Race: All Stars” dropping a bit from its premiere to a 2.9, followed by repeats of procedurals.

Fourth-place NBC had a season-low “Grease: You’re the One That I Want” (1.5), followed by a “Crossing Jordan” repeat, and then a “Jordan” original (2.2).

The CW came in fifth with repeats.

E’s ratings for its Academy Awards red-carpet coverage drew a 3.94 Nielsen Media Research household ratings in metered markets, up 47 percent from last year.

Hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana DePandi, E’s coverage featured a live performance by original Broadway Dreamgirl Jennifer Holliday.

E’s post-Oscar coverage drew a 0.62 rating.

TV Guide Channel’s pre-show coverage, featuring Joan and Melissa Rivers, drew a 1.0 household rating, up 11 percent from last year. It also marked the network’s highest rating ever.

(Editor: Horowitz)