By Jeffrey Jolson

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 2/28/11 – Oscar ratings early estimates show viewers at about 37.6 million, down nearly 10 percent from last year when Hurt Locker won Best Picture and Jeff Bridges took actor and Sandra took Best Actress.

They didn’t win for the biggest films of the year – yet the show did 7 percent better than the Nielsen overnights for the 2011 Academy Awards, a 24.6 rating and 37 share, compared with the 2010’s 26.5 rating and 40 share.

Still, the Academy boasts a billion worldwide viewers and the rating were up from 2008 and 2009.

With James Franco and Anne Hathaway recruited to bring in younger viewers, the In Memoriam segment ticked off some viewers by not mentioning Corey Haim, the “Lucas” and “Lost Boys” star who died of pneumonia complications almost a year ago at age 38.

The academy had not commented on the omission by Monday afternoon. It took heat last year for snubbing Farrah Fawcett but claimed her greater fame came from television — a possible excuse for another Sunday slight, Peter Graves.

However, the day-after was bright for many. Sir Elton John said “We have made $250 million for the Elton John Aids Foundation to date — because people have so much fun at our viewing party, and more importantly the attendees help serve people who need it so much.”