Grammy awards watched by more than 26 million in US

This year’s Grammy awards were watched by 26.66 million TV viewers in the US, its biggest audience for 11 years.

Viewing figures were up around 3% from last year’s audience of 25.87m, broadcaster CBS said.

The show saw Lady Gaga emerging from a giant egg and an all-star tribute to soul queen Aretha Franklin.

Reviews for Sunday’s show have been mixed, with the Hollywood Reporter’s critic calling it “lousy” and “badly paced”.

“The 53rd annual Grammy awards went on longer than a Bruce Springsteen concert,” wrote Tim Goodman. “And not in a good way.”

Yet the Los Angeles Times was more positive, saying “the line-up’s generational range was impressive”.

“In the end the spirit belonged to the future, as unpredictable and fragmented as it may be,” wrote Ann Powers.

Country trio Lady Antebellum won five prizes, including song of the year and record of the year for their hit Need You Now.

Lady Gaga went home with three awards, as did rapper Jay-Z and soul star John Legend.