Tony Awards Set for Broadcast on CBS Through 2018!

CBS announced today a new broadcast agreement with The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing that will keep the annual TONY Awards broadcast on the CBS Television Network through 2018. The awards show, which honors theater professionals for distinguished achievement on Broadway, has been a part of the CBS family for the past 35 years.

THE 67TH ANNUAL TONY AWARDS will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall, Sunday, June 9 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. The show returns to Radio City Music Hall after two years at the Beacon Theatre. Emmy Award winner Neil Patrick Harris returns as host.

"The TONY Awards give viewers across the country the opportunity to experience the excitement of Broadway theater from their very own living rooms," said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment. "We're pleased to renew our commitment to the performing arts and look forward to continuing this great and long-standing partnership by bringing the best of Broadway to primetime television for many years to come."

"We would like to thank CBS for their continued support of The TONY Awards," said Heather Hitchens, Executive Director of the American Theatre Wing and Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League. "Their dedication to our community allows us to bring the finest of the Broadway season into the homes of our fans each and every year - and also allows us to introduce the world of theatre to new audiences across the country."

First airing on CBS in 1978, this year marks the 67th anniversary of the TONY Awards, which were first held on April 6, 1947 at the Waldorf Astoria's Grand Ballroom. The ceremonies are presented by Tony AwaRD Productions, which is a joint venture of The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, which founded the Tonys.

The Tonys were founded in memorial to Antoinette ("Tony") Perry, the American Theatre Wing's World War II chairperson. The winners are selected by approximately 830 eligible voters. These include voting members of The Broadway League and the board of directors and designated members of the advisory committee of the American Theatre Wing, along with members of the governing boards of Actors' Equity Association, the Dramatists Guild, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), United Scenic Artists and the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers. Other eligible voters include members of the Theatrical Council of the Casting Society of America, the New York Drama Critics' Circle, the board/council of the National Association of Talent Representatives, and the Tony Awards Nominating Committee.

The June 2011 broadcast of "The 65th Annual Tony Awards" was honored this past year with four Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Special Class Program, Outstanding Art Direction for Variety or Nonfiction Programming, Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special.

Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment will return as executive producers. Also, Weiss will serve as director for the 14th consecutive year.