The Tony Awards experienced a decline in viewership for the second consecutive year, with the 2024 broadcast attracting only 3.5 million viewers.
According to Nielsen’s same-day ratings, this figure represents a 14.6% drop from the previous year’s audience, making it the least-watched awards show so far this year.
In 2023, the Tony Awards drew an audience of 4.12 million viewers. The 2024 drop continues the downward trend, with the show also seeing a decline in the 18-49 age demographic, securing a 0.41 rating compared to 0.46 in 2023.
Despite the low ratings, this year’s viewership was not the lowest in the history of the Tony Awards. During the pandemic in 2021, the awards show failed to reach 3 million viewers. Conversely, the highest recent viewership was in 2016 when “Hamilton” dominated the awards, drawing over 8 million viewers.
The 2024 Tony Awards were broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, but streaming numbers are not included in Nielsen’s on-air ratings. Additionally, the broadcast coincided with Father’s Day, contributing to an overall decrease in television viewership for that night, marking it the least-watched Sunday since 1987.
The decline in Tony Awards ratings contrasts with the increased viewership seen by other major awards shows this year. The Golden Globes, Oscars, and Grammys all reported higher ratings compared to 2023. The 2024 Grammy Awards, for instance, attracted 17 million viewers, a 36% increase from the previous year.
Similarly, the 96th Academy Awards drew 19.5 million viewers in March, the highest since pre-pandemic levels in 2020. The Golden Globes also saw a 50% rise in viewership, marking the first increase since 2020.
Despite the general trend of declining ratings for awards shows in recent years, the increased viewership for the Oscars, Grammys, and Golden Globes suggests that these events still hold significant appeal. However, the Tony Awards may need to explore new strategies to engage viewers and reverse the trend of declining ratings.
The continuous drop in Tony Awards viewership indicates a challenge for the show’s organizers to find ways to attract and retain audiences, especially in an era where media consumption habits are rapidly evolving.
