Les Moonves Confirms CBS Commitment to TONY Broadcast: 'It's Part of Our Heritage'

In a new interview with the New York Post's Michael Riedel, CBS chief Les Moonves confirms his network's commitment to airing the annual TONY AWARD ceremony. "CBS and Broadway have been tied together for years," Moonves tells Riedel. "I think of the TONY AWARDS as part of our heritage. The show is a money-loser for CBS, but there are certain things that are more important than making money. I know this sounds corny, but part of being a broadcaster is public trust. And I believe it is important for us to show America what is happening on Broadway."

Despite a ratings roller coaster ride over the last few years, this year's award ceremony, featuring the mega-hit musical HAMILTON and hosted by fan favorite James Corden, promises to be a ratings hit and is predicted to deliver as many as nine million viewers, two million more than recent broadcasts.

"I loved being around the theater," explains Moonves, "I have two memories from when I was 5 years old," he says. "One is seeing the Brooklyn Dodgers in Ebbets Field. I remember the green grass. The other is seeing Mary Martin in 'Peter Pan.' I can still hear the orchestra at the beginning of the play."

The exec reveals that he himself even took a stab at acting in his younger days and has a deep respect for those who made it to the top. "Having been a mediocre actor, I can appreciate the great actors on television, in the movies and on Broadway."

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THE 70TH ANNUAL TONY AWARDS will air live from the Beacon Theatre, Sunday, June 12 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/ delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. Presenters include Barbra Streisand, Uzo Aduba, Claire Danes, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Neil Patrick Harris, Sean Hayes, James Earl Jones, Daniel Dae Kim, Diane Lane, Angela Lansbury, Lucy Liu, Marlee Matlin, Andrew Rannells, Cate Blanchett, Carole King, Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald, Patina Miller, Saoirse Ronan, Oprah Winfrey and Blair Underwood.

Tony Award winner James Corden, host of THE LATE LATE SHOW with JAMES CORDEN, will host the awards show for the first time. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the TONY Awards, which were first held on April 6, 1947, to honor theater professionals for distinguished achievement on Broadway. The ceremony is presented by Tony Award Productions, a joint venture of the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, which founded the Tonys.

Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment will return as executive producers. Weiss will also serve as director for the 17th consecutive year.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos