It goes without saying these days that another big live event has set another social TV record. Last night’s Oscars was no exception, attracting 13.2 million social interactions, up 197% from last year’s event, according to data from Trendrr. This makes it the third most social TV event on the year, behind the Super Bowl (52 million) and the Grammys (17 million). According to early Nielsen numbers, the show scored a 19% increase over year’s Academy Awards ratings.

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By now, most people know that Seth McFarlane will host the 85^th Academy Awards this Sunday night. But as Joan Rivers proved, the pre-show and all happenings behind-the-scenes are just as important to viewers. This year, actress Kristin Chenoweth, Entertainment Weekly Managing Editor Jess Cagle, and Good Morning America’s Lara Spencer will host the official pre-show, and each made the announcement via Twitter. Also, in a big surprise announcement, Robin Roberts also tweeted that she would be making her return to TV to help co-host. Read more

Updated: Despite what seemed like a million social media and second screen integrations (see our list of the best Oscars social media moments), last night's Oscars fell well short of the social TV records set at the Super Bowl and the Grammy Awards. Trendrr gave it a 3.2 million social activity score, compared to 17.5 for the Super Bowl and 17.1 for the Grammys. Bluefin Labs measured 3.8 million social media comments for the night, compared to 13 million for the Grammys and 12.2 for the Super Bowl -- but still, that 3.8 million is up 293% compared to last year's Academy Awards.

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This year's Academy Awards on ABC was infused with social media and second-screen experiences, top to bottom. So much so, we were juggling apps and devices -- three different hosted live streams during the red carpet show -- which was a bit out of control. While the show didn't offer many (if any) smashing viral moments, there were some terrific second-screen developments and a few memorable social media tidbits:

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Updated: The Super Bowl social TV numbers were off the charts, then the Grammys -- by one measure -- unseated the big game as the most social event in TV history. And with the Academy Awards this weekend, media and social TV companies are gearing up for another huge event. We've gathered (and we're still adding to) the most comprehensive social media preview for Sunday's show: the Oscars is bringing back the Backstage Pass, a second-screen experience on Oscar.com and free apps for the iPad and iPhone....

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The Oscars producers are finally figuring out that you don't necessarily need young hosts to be hip on the social web. The team behind the Oscars seems to be developing simple and effective ways to partner with already existing influential communities. First a video in partnership with Funny or Die and now a 5-part web series with Shira Lazar's What's Trending show. Called Oscar Dailies, they'll feature an all-star lineup of film experts...

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Ever since the whole Eddie Murphy debacle that ended in Billy Crystal trending into a role as host, we've been unsure what to exactly expect from the 84-year-old awards. While the Oscars and their Academy will never lose importance, there's definitely a sense of excitement around wanting things to change. After two young hosts didn't turn out so well (Franco even quit Twitter after the Oscars) Billy Crystal is tweet-announcing and getting involved in some cool antics early on.

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It's official, Billy Crystal will be hosting the Oscars. The actor and comedian hasn't hosted since 2004 but is generally remembered by all ages as one of the best hosts of our time. Crystal made the announcement on Twitter less than thirty minutes ago, in a pretty funny way:

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It's official, Billy Crystal will be hosting the Oscars. The actor and comedian hasn't hosted since 2004 but is generally remembered by all ages as one of the best hosts of our time. Crystal made the announcement on Twitter less than thirty minutes ago, in a pretty funny way:

Read more

It's official, Billy Crystal will be hosting the Oscars. The actor and comedian hasn't hosted since 2004 but is generally remembered by all ages as one of the best hosts of our time. Crystal made the announcement on Twitter less than thirty minutes ago, in a pretty funny way:

Read more