Broadway’s biggest night isn't just about the trophies anymore. It’s about the logistics. Honestly, figuring out how to watch the Tonys has become a bit of a theatrical production in itself, thanks to the fragmented world of cable and streaming. You want to see the choreography. You want to hear the high notes. You definitely don’t want to be staring at a spinning loading wheel while the Best Musical winner is announced.
The Tony Awards are a moving target. In recent years, the ceremony has split itself across multiple platforms, sometimes starting on one app and finishing on a traditional TV channel. If you aren't prepared, you'll spend the first forty-five minutes of the show resetting your password instead of watching the opening number.
The CBS and Paramount Plus Connection
CBS remains the home of the American Theatre Wing’s glitzy gala. If you have a literal antenna—yes, those still exist—you can catch the main ceremony for free. It’s the most reliable way. No lag. No internet outages. Just pure broadcast signals.
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But most of us have moved on. If you're a cord-cutter, Paramount+ is your primary gateway. Here is the catch: you usually need the "Paramount+ with SHOWTIME" tier to watch your local CBS station live. The cheaper, ad-supported "Essential" plan often doesn't include the live local feed, though it typically offers the full show on-demand the next day. This confuses people every single year. They sign up for the five-dollar plan, realize they can't see the red carpet, and end up yelling at a chatbot. Don't be that person.
Check your subscription level at least 24 hours before the curtain rises.
What About the Pre-Show?
There is almost always a "preshow" or an "Act One" that doesn't air on CBS. Usually, this airs exclusively on Pluto TV or the base tier of Paramount+. It’s where they give out the technical awards—Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting, that sort of thing. For the hardcore theater nerds, this is actually the best part of the night. You get to see the artists who actually build the magic.
Watching the whole thing requires a "platform hop." You start on a streaming app for the first hour, then pivot to the main broadcast. It’s clunky. It's annoying. But if you want to see every single acceptance speech, it’s the only way to do it.
How to Watch the Tonys If You Don't Have Cable
Live TV streaming services are the "Plan B" for most fans. They are expensive, but they work. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV all carry CBS. The benefit here is the DVR functionality. If you’re on the West Coast, the Tonys are often tape-delayed on regular cable. That means the internet will spoil the winners three hours before you see them. Using a digital DVR allows you to start watching "live" with the East Coast feed in some instances, or at least keep the spoilers at bay by staying off social media.
- YouTube TV: Reliable, but check if your local CBS affiliate is included.
- Hulu + Live TV: Comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+, which is a plus if you have kids or a sports habit.
- DirectV Stream: Usually the most expensive, but it feels the most like traditional cable.
Is it worth paying $75 for one month just to watch the Tonys? Maybe. If you’re hosting a watch party, the peace of mind is worth the price of a few cocktails.
International Viewing is a Mess
If you are trying to figure out how to watch the Tonys from London, Toronto, or Sydney, I have bad news. It's rarely straightforward. In the UK, stations like Sky Arts sometimes pick up the broadcast, but often it's a delayed highlight reel. In Canada, CTV usually handles the heavy lifting, but their streaming app can be notoriously finicky with logins.
VPNs are a common workaround, but they are a gray area. Many streaming services have gotten better at blocking known VPN IP addresses. If you go this route, test it a few days early. Don’t wait until the red carpet starts to find out your "location" is being rejected by the server.
The Social Media Spoiler Minefield
Even if you find the perfect stream, the Tonys are a social media event. Twitter (or X) and TikTok will be flooded with clips within seconds of them happening. If your stream is lagging by even thirty seconds, you’ll see the "OMG I CANT BELIEVE SHE WON" posts before the envelope is even opened on your screen.
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If you want the pure experience, put your phone in the other room. Or, lean into it. The "second screen" experience—chatting with other theater fans while watching—is half the fun. Just recognize that the data traveling to your phone is often faster than the high-def video traveling to your smart TV.
Setting Up Your Gear
Don't rely on your TV's built-in "smart" apps if they haven't been updated since 2022. They are slow. Use a dedicated device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick. These devices have better processors and handle live streaming much more gracefully than a five-year-old Samsung TV.
Hardwire your connection if possible. An Ethernet cable plugged directly into your streaming box beats Wi-Fi every single time. You don't want Best Actress to turn into a pixelated mess right during the emotional climax of her speech.
Actionable Steps for Tony Night
- Verify your login. Log into Paramount+ or your Live TV provider today. Don't wait until 7:55 PM on Sunday.
- Check the tier. Ensure your Paramount+ subscription includes "Live TV" (the Showtime tier) if you aren't using a cable substitute.
- Find "Act One." Determine if the first hour is on Pluto TV or a different streaming link. This usually changes year to year, so check the official Tony Awards website (https://www.google.com/search?q=tonyawards.com) on the morning of the show.
- Update your apps. Force an update on your streaming device to prevent a mid-show crash.
- Sync your clocks. If you're watching with friends in different houses, pick one person to be the "master clock" so you aren't texting spoilers to each other.
- Audio matters. If you have a soundbar, turn on "Dialogue Enhancement" or "Night Mode." Broadway performers have a wide dynamic range; the songs will be loud, but the speeches can be surprisingly quiet.