Why CBS will never dump the ratings-challenged Tonys
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Television Awards
TMC-4 — 9 years ago(June 10, 2016 11:53 PM)
http://nypost.com/2016/06/10/why-cbs-will-never-dump-the-ratings-challenged-tonys/
In the early 2000s, when TV ratings for the Tony Awards seemed perennially stuck in the basement, Broadway fretted that CBS might ditch the telecast. Rumors swirled that the Tonys would go local, broadcast by NY1, Channel 13 or A&E Network (before it became Law & Order Network). Producers were terrified. The Tonys, even with low ratings, still boosted ticket sales. It was, back then, Broadways one and only chance to reach a national audience. And then, to the relief of the theater industry, word came down from CBS chief Les Moonves: As long as Im here, the Tonys will be here, too. Moonves has been true to his word. The ratings have been up and down over the years, but Moonves and CBS have