The figures were down 11% compared with 2014, when a tribute to the Beatles and a mass on-stage wedding attracted 28.5 million viewers.
However, it was the fifth consecutive year that the Grammy audience topped 25 million.
It was also the most-watched award show of the year to date, beating the Golden Globes’ audience by six million.
However, the Oscar ceremony remains the most-watched award show – having attracted 43 million people in 2014.
Sam Smith was the big winner at this year’s Grammys, taking home four awards including song of the year and record of the year – both of which went to his gospel-tinged break-up ballad Stay With Me.
Beck won the album of the year prize for his eighth album, Morning Phase – infuriating Kanye West, who stormed the stage to protest at Beyonce’s loss, before deciding to return to his seat rather than taking the microphone.
The incident was the most-tweeted moment during the show, attracting 13.4 million comments on Twitter. The ceremony was also streamed 7.5 million times, an increase of 40%.
Overall the show was low on spectacle, with most artists presenting stripped-back, muted performances; largely concentrating on their slower numbers.
Madonna was the obvious exception, playing a matador to a stage full of dancers wearing diamante-encrusted minotaur masks.
1M1GMQkrjdIThe US House Ethics Committee has voted to release its report on former Republican Representative…
ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to President-elect Donald Trump to settle a…
South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt…
Israeli war planes have carried out more than 100 air strikes in Syria on December…
President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on the BRICS countries if they…
Syrian troops have withdrawn from the city of Aleppo following an offensive by rebels opposed…