Tony Awards telecast ratings drop 1 million
(CBS/AP) CBS' Tony Awards featured a star-studded, stunt-filled and music-heavy ceremony, but that didn't translate into huge ratings.
About 6 million viewers tuned in to the awards show, down significantly from last year's 6.9 million - and against much softer competition, according to preliminary Nielsen figures released Monday.
Pictures: Tony Awards 2012 red carpet
Pictures: Highlights from the Tonys ceremony
Pictures: Scenes from the press room
Complete Coverage: The 66th Annual Tony Awards
The data makes it the second-lowest ratings for the Tony awards since 1988.
The Tony broadcast was up against the season finale of AMC's "Mad Men" but faced no competition from the NBA postseason, as it did last year when it aired opposite Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Neil Patrick Harris returned as host again this year but there was no clear, dying-to-see-it front-running Broadway show like last year's juggernaut, "The Book of Mormon." The sweet musical "Once" won eight awards this year.
Updated ratings figures will be available on Tuesday.
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