Ratings: Tony Awards Surge 38% to Biggest Audience Since 2019
America's Most Watch Network's presentation of the 78th Tony Awards on Sunday night averaged 4.85 million total viewers, an increase of 38% year-over-year to mark the biggest audience since 2019 for the telecast. (In 2020, there was no formal Tonys ceremony.)
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The show also enjoyed its largest live streaming audience ever on Paramount+, up 208% vs. 2024.
In the demos, this year's Tonys saw gains of 91% with the 25-54 crowd, 107% among Adults 18-49 and 147% with those age 18-34.
This year's telecast was hosted by Tony Award winner and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, with Maybe Happy Ending emerging as the big winner and the original Broadway cast of Hamilton reuniting for a medley commemorating the hit musical's 10th anniversary.
Last year, Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose lorded over a ceremony where Stereophonic and The Outsiders grabbed the most trophies.
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