Tony Awards 2025 TV Ratings Reach Record Highs, Biggest Streaming Audience

The 78th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo, brought in the biggest audience since 2019 and set a new record for streaming viewers. A whopping 4.85 million viewers tuned in to CBS to watch the celebration of Broadway at Radio City Music Hall. It was the top non-sports program of the evening and saw significant increases in viewers across key demographics: a 91% increase in viewers ages 25-54, 107% in ages 18-49, and a whopping 147% in ages 18-34. Social media buzz was also high, with 5.2 billion potential impressions and 161.9K mentions.

Paramount+ saw a massive 208% increase in viewers, making it the largest streaming audience ever for the Tony Awards. These numbers reflect a growing interest in theater not just in New York but nationally, following Broadway’s highest-grossing season ever in 2024-2025.

The night saw Maybe Happy Ending and Purpose take home the top titles for Best Musical and Play, with Sunset Blvd. and Eureka Day winning the revival awards. Standout performances from stars like Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss, Sarah Snook, and Cole Escola wowed audiences and took home leading actor and actress honors in various categories.

The Tony Awards serve not just as a celebration of the artistry on Broadway but as a critical marketing tool for the industry. Winning a Tony can mean selling plenty of tickets, and performances during the broadcast can draw in audiences regardless of awards outcomes. Nominations alone can lead to appearances on major morning and late-night shows, spreading the word about Broadway far beyond the live ceremony itself.

Cynthia Erivo’s opening number set the stage for a night of incredible talent and recognition, with standout moments from Hamilton star Renée Elise Goldsberry and Darren Criss hosting a special pre-telecast show. For a full list of winners and coverage from Broadway’s biggest night, visit Playbill.com/Tonys.