Broadway has had a wild year. From tech-infused spectacles to unexpected screen-to-stage adaptations, the 2025–2026 season proved that New York theater refuses to play it safe. It all culminates this weekend at Radio City Music Hall.
If you want to catch the glitter, the high notes, and the inevitable chaotic acceptance speeches, you need a game plan. The 79th Annual Tony Awards air live on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
Figuring out exactly where to look can be a headache with the current streaming landscape split across multiple platforms. Here is the straightforward guide on how to watch the ceremony without missing a single category.
The Master Schedule for Tony Night
Don't wait until 8:00 p.m. to tune in. If you do, you're going to miss a massive chunk of the actual awards. The evening is split into two distinct broadcasts across different platforms.
Act One is Free on Pluto TV
- Time: 6:35 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET (3:35 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT)
- Where to watch: Pluto TV (specifically the "Live Music" channel under the entertainment category)
- The Hosts: Laura Benanti and Tituss Burgess
This pre-show isn't just people walking a red carpet. It's an actual, live broadcast where the first round of Tony Awards is handed out. Usually, this includes heavily competitive creative and technical categories like costume design, lighting, and orchestrations. Best of all, Pluto TV is entirely free. You don't even need an account to watch.
The Main Event on CBS and Paramount+
- Time: 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PT)
- Where to watch: CBS Television Network or Paramount+
- The Host: P!NK
Once the clock strikes 8:00 p.m. ET, the main ceremony kicks off live across both coasts. Three-time Grammy winner P!NK takes over hosting duties, marking her major debut as a Broadway master of ceremonies.
How to Stream the Broadcast Without Cable
If you cut the cord years ago, you have a few specific options to watch the main 8:00 p.m. broadcast live.
The Paramount+ Catch
Your subscription tier matters immensely here. If you pay for the Paramount+ Premium tier, you can stream the Tony Awards live via your local CBS affiliate feed inside the app. You can also watch it on-demand the next day.
If you have the Paramount+ Essential tier, you cannot watch the show live. You will have to wait until Monday morning to stream the ceremony on-demand. If you're a new user, look out for a one-week free trial to get through the weekend.
Live TV Streaming Services
If you don't use Paramount+, any live TV streaming service that carries your local CBS station will work perfectly.
- YouTube TV: Offers live CBS streaming and usually has a free trial for new accounts.
- Hulu + Live TV: Includes live local networks.
- FuboTV: Another solid alternative for local broadcast channels.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Nominees
Every year, casual viewers tune in expecting a quiet night of traditional theater. This year will shatter that expectation. Two wildly different shows lead the pack with 12 nominations each, setting up a fascinating narrative battle.
On one side, you have The Lost Boys, a dark, rock-infused vampire thriller adapted from the iconic 1987 teen movie. On the other side sits Schmigadoon!, a sharp, hilarious stage adaptation of the Apple TV series that lovingly pokes fun at the golden age of musicals.
They are joined in the major categories by an eclectic bunch. The category for Best Musical and Best Revival features heavy hitters like Titanique (the pop-fueled Titanic parody), Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Ragtime, and The Rocky Horror Show.
The Anniversary Performances You Cannot Miss
The producers are leaning hard into nostalgia for the 2026 broadcast. Aside from the standard performances from the nominated casts, the night features huge milestone celebrations.
Look out for Rachel Zegler delivering a special 50th-anniversary tribute to A Chorus Line. Meanwhile, Leslie Odom Jr. is scheduled to perform "Without You" from Rent to mark 30 years since Jonathan Larson's masterpiece changed theater forever.
Perhaps the loudest moment of the night will belong to a massive ensemble celebration for the 30th anniversary of Chicago. Queen Latifah, P!NK, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Alex Newell, and Julianne Hough are teaming up for a massive tribute performance to the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Even the original Broadway cast of The Book of Mormon is reuniting on stage to celebrate 15 years of their show.
Your Pre-Show Checklist
To make sure your Sunday night goes off without a technical hitch, get your setup sorted by Saturday.
First, download the Pluto TV app on your smart TV or streaming stick. Fire it up ahead of time and locate the "Live Music" channel so you aren't scrolling frantically at 6:34 p.m.
Second, double-check your Paramount+ subscription level. If it says "Essential," swallow your pride and upgrade to Premium for a month, or grab a free trial on a live TV streaming alternative like YouTube TV.
Lastly, bookmark the official Tony Awards live tracker on your phone. Theater nerds know the fastest acceptance speeches often happen during the Pluto TV hour, and having a digital ballot open lets you keep score with your friends in real time.
