CBS Enjoys a Ratings Bump for 2009 Tony Telecast

Thanks perhaps to the appeal of hip host Neil Patrick Harris, ratings were up for the 2009 Tony Award broadcast on CBS. Overall, the June 7 airing scored a 5.1 rating/9 share, an increase over last year’s 4.5 rating/8 share. The big ratings winner of the night was ABC, which aired the second game of the NBA Finals.

Compared to last year's ceremony, The Tony Awards were up 11% in households, 20% in adults 25-54, 18% in adults 18-49 and added 1.18 million viewers (from last year’s 6.27 million) an increase of 19% from last year’s broadcast.    

The 2009 Tonys telecast featured production numbers from Broadway shows like Billy Elliot, Next to Normal, Hair, West Side Story, Rock of Ages Guys and Dolls and Shrek as well as national tours of Mamma Mia!, Legally Blonde and Jersey Boys.