Record-breaking Tony Awards garner highest viewership for CBS in six years
Fresh Spin on the Tony Awards Spectacle
Get ready for some showbiz scoop! The Tony Awards pulled off a feat last Sunday, raking in a whopping 4.85 million viewers on CBS, marking the largest audience in six years according to Nielsen's data.
CBS proudly announced on Monday that the show, hosted by the splendid Cynthia Erivo of "Wicked" fame, reported a stunning 38% increase over the previous year, with 3.53 million viewers tuning in. The last time the Tonys drew such a crowd was back in 2019, when a whopping 5.4 million viewers tuned in for the spectacle, with "Hadestown" earning the title of best new musical. This year's show definitely had its work cut out, what with the second game of the NBA Finals going on simultaneously.
But the show managed to set a new record in the streaming realm. Alas, CBS didn't disclose the exact number of streaming viewers on Paramount+, just stating that the figure saw a significant boost of 208% compared to the previous year.
The touching rom-com "Maybe Happy Ending," about androids brimming with human-like qualities, took home the Best New Musical award. Kara Young made history as the first Black person to win two Tonys in a row for "Purpose," which also claimed the title for Best New Play.
The competition in the Best Lead Actress in a Musical category added a thrilling twist. Audra McDonald was gunning for her record-breaking seventh Tony, while Nicole Scherzinger aimed to secure her title as a legit Broadway diva, having previously been known for her stint in the pop group Pussycat Dolls and as a TV talent show judge.
Other popular faces from Hollywood graced the stage, with George Clooney debuting on Broadway and "Succession" star Sarah Snook earning the Best Leading Actress in a Play award for "The Picture of Dorian Gray," a one-woman show.
Top Business Stories That Stirred Up the Town
- Seattle-area homebuyers showing a touch of apprehension in the face of rising interest rates and economic instability
- A further 17 WA Rite Aid stores, including 4 Bartell Drugs, are set to close as the company navigates bankruptcy
- As Rite Aid and Bartell Drug stores retreat from the WA market, the footprint of their bankruptcy fire sale continues to shrink
- Got a four-wheeled dream? The auto industry is bracing itself for some bumpy rides in the near future, according to a report by Bank of America
- ABC's Terry Moran finds himself in hot water after a controversial social media post, leading to his temporary suspension
Sources: 1 to 4 unavailable
In the business world, Seattle-area homebuyers are showing signs of apprehension due to the increasing interest rates and economic instability. Meanwhile, the entertainment scene is bustling with the news of 21 more WA Rite Aid stores and 4 Bartell Drugs closing, as the companies navigate through bankruptcy.
