Ceremony highlights included a performance by the Police

It was an 18% increase on last year which saw the ceremony take a beating from American Idol, Nielsen Media Research said.

In 2005 the ceremony drew 17m viewers, compared to American Idol's 28m when they were broadcast head-to-head.

Country stars Dixie Chicks were big winners at Sunday night's ceremony, taking home a total of five Grammys.

Their awards included best song, record and album. The Red Hot Chili Peppers won four, while Mary J Blige won three.

The ceremony was opened by reformed rock group The Police, who performed their 1979 hit Roxanne to a standing ovation from 12,000 fans.

Former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood performed two songs during the Grammy ceremony and won the best new artist award.

The Grammy show also mimicked American Idol this year by featuring its own amateur contest, with the winner, 19-year-old Robyn Troup from Houston, performing with Justin Timberlake.