Will the Tony Awards renew their contract with CBS?

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 8:05am

The ten year contract between CBS and the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League ends this year. The Tonys have had a relationship with CBS since the 1970's but the media company has now become a propaganda tool of the Trump administration. Will the Tonys renew the contract for another ten years?

Updated On: 4/22/26 at 08:05 AM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 8:14am

It was announced YouTube will be broadcasting the Tony Awards in 2029 so they might just extend 2 more years on CBS. Unless PlutoTV takes it for those 2 years. 

[seaweedjstubbs]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 8:20am

The Oscars are moving to YouTube in 2029, not the Tonys. Nothing has been announced as of yet about the future plans for the Tonys if they or CBS decide not to renew their contract.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 8:48am

Indications right now say no, although moving to YouTube like the Oscars would just result in even lower viewership totals. It's really a lose-lose situation.

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 9:47am

EDSOSLO858 said: "Indications right now say no, although moving to YouTube like the Oscars would just result in even lower viewership totals. It's really a lose-lose situation."

I wasn’t able to see any indication online one way or the other. To my knowledge no one in the entertainment press has asked this question of the American Theatre Wing or The Broadway League.

Updated On: 4/22/26 at 09:47 AM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 10:02am

I previously thought PBS would be the most ideal home for the Tonys. But even in normal times, PBS wouldn’t pay even half of what CBS pays for the rights.

Netflix is getting into live awards shows, but I really can’t see them shelling out money for something that isn’t related to filmed media. The SAGs are a way for them to parade around Netflix talent.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 10:19am

If Bob Greenblatt was still head of NBC, I'm sure he would've easily picked them up.

[BwayLB]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 10:29am

Broadway isn’t too exciting anymore

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 10:34am

I think CBS might renew, but perhaps not with a full 10 year contract. 

I'm not sure any of the other "big four" networks would go for it. PBS would be a good fit, but I don't think they can afford it right now. So if CBS doesn't keep the show it would probably head to a lesser network like TBS.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 11:23am

No matter what they do, the Tony Awards telecast viewership will continue to decline. That’s not unique to them, though. Most, if not all, award shows are losing viewers. Especially when younger viewers go to x or instagram to find out who won.
 

What the Tony’s have going for it are the performances. I’d actually be curious what the total view count of those performances are on each social media platform is compared to what the telecast ratings are. They might as well make the actual ceremony a private event and release the list of winners as a press release. Then, they film the musical nominees for their YouTube channel and then clipping it for social media.

Updated On: 4/22/26 at 11:23 AM