Historic viewership for Tony Awards telecast?

Given the extraordinary hype around Hamilton I would think this year's show has the potential to be the most watched ever.

Some metrics from recent years from these articles:

http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/ratings-tony-awards-cbs-nba-finals-abc-1201514469/

http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/tonys-on-cbs-above-7-million-for-first-time-in-four-years-1200494629/

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/06/cbs-sees-slight-increase-in-tony-awards-ratings.html

2007 - 6.22 million

2008 - 6.27 million

2009 - 7.43 million

2010 - 7.0 million

2011 - 6.9 million

2012 - 6.01 million

2013 - 7.2 million

2014 - 7.05 million

2015 - 6.35 million

So do we have any predictions for this year's viewership?

Also - do we think if the number is quite large (say 10 million-ish) that it will make a meaningful difference in the size of the bump for shows that perform on the telecast?

It might. No way to know . We shall all find out together

I don't think Hamilton alone will be responsible for the hike. There will be a LARGE demographic of viewers that don't normally watch because of the diversity of shows this year.

Can someone explain why the 2009 telecast saw such high viewership?

BroadwayConcierge said: "Can someone explain why the 2009 telecast saw such high viewership?



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2009 was the first time NPH hosted and was filled with commercial shows (Billy Elliot, Shrek, Rock of Ages, West Side Story, 9 to 5, Guys and Dolls)

HogansHero said: "@Broadwaystar2 what diversity are you referring to? It seems to me it is a pretty typical year other than Hamilton.



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I think it's because people like Sara Barellies have musicals out this season, and people will tune in to watch that performance.

I'm going to agree with HogansHero. 9 million sounds right, and that's me trying to curb my hype-meter.



Never in my life has a show opened so early, gained such unbelievable widespread attention, and captured so many fans across the country through a cast album. Book of Mormon certainly has nothing on that; in fact, the Tony performance was a firsts glimpse even for many theatre enthusiasts I know.



Marketing is certainly going to focus on this.

Updated On: 5/9/16 at 06:44 PM

@CATSNY you can bet the farm on it.

I also think it's a mistake for shows like Waitress and Tuck Everlasting not to have their cast albums up on iTunes before the telecast or at least be up for pre-order. That's if Tuck is even still open and pays for the performance but I think it could only benefit each show that performs since you can get tickets to those shows and no one can get tickets to Hamilton.

This should be a big year. You have Hamilton, School of Rock, Shuffle Along, Long Day's Journey Into Night, Bright Star, Color Purple, She Loves Me, Eclipsed, Waitress, The Crucible and Blackbird which all feature big names either cast or creatively. LMM, Groff, the whole cast of Hamilton, Audra MD, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, ALW, Jessica Lange, Michael Shannon, Steve Martin, Danielle Brooks, (maybe JHUD?), Zach Levi, Jane Krakowski, Lupita N'yongo, Sara Bareilles, Saoirse Ronan, Jeff Daniels, Michelle Williams and others I'm sure through presenters and performers. Also, James Corden is a much better choice for a host than last year.

@Terrence if past is prologue none of those people attract viewers. The only thing I see on the landscape that will draw people is the performance from Hamilton because the producers have been very parsimonious about showing people what the big deal is.

HogansHero said: "@Terrence if past is prologue none of those people attract viewers. The only thing I see on the landscape that will draw people is the performance from Hamilton because the producers have been very parsimonious about showing people what the big deal is.



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Interesting point. Even the key art and all of the theatre's exterior decoration is intended to keep a feeling of exclusivity and mystery to it.

re Corden

He is the host of a TV show that in a good week has 1.25 million viewers. If NPH in his prime moved the needle very little, do you seriously think Corden is a draw?