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Average of 40.3 million viewers watched Oscars in U.S.

The Oscar nominees for Best Picture are announced by Seth MacFarlane and Emma Stone at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills, California on January 10, 2013. The 85th Annual Academy Awards will take place February 24. UPI/Jim Ruymen

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Published: Feb. 25, 2013 at 6:19 PM

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Sunday night's Oscars telecast drew an average audience of 40.3 million total viewers in the United States, ABC said Monday.

"Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane served as host of the event, which ran for more than 3 1/2 hours.

"Argo" was declared Best Picture and "Life of Pi" director Ang Lee Best Director.

Daniel Day-Lewis won the Best Actor Oscar for his work in "Lincoln" and Jennifer Lawrence took home the Best Actress statuette for her performance in "Silver Linings Playbook."

About 39.3 million tuned in for the 2012 edition of the prize presentation when Billy Crystal served as emcee and the silent black-and-white film "The Artist" bagged the top prize.

Topics: Seth MacFarlane, Daniel Day-Lewis, Billy Crystal, Ang Lee

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