P!NK, Early Awards, & Free Pre-Show: Tony Awards Shake Up Fan Access

The 2026 Tony Awards are breaking tradition, offering fans unprecedented free access to early awards presentations and red carpet action via Pluto TV. Forget paywalls and exclusive invites – the "Pluto TV Celebrity" channel is your free ticket to the glamorous pre-show, "The Tony Awards: Act One." It's a smart move to open up the theatre world to a wider audience, echoing how digital platforms are changing live events.

Theatre veterans Laura Benanti and Tituss Burgess will host "Act One," guiding viewers through the initial awards ceremony and all the buzz leading up to the main event. This pre-show, running from 6:35 pm ET/3:35 pm PT until 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT, isn't just about fashion; it's where the first Tonys of the night will actually be handed out. That's right, you'll see winners declared live, free of charge, before the main telecast even begins.

Global icon P!NK takes the legendary Radio City Music Hall stage to host the main 2026 Tony Awards. That show kicks off right after the pre-show, from 8-11 pm ET/5-8 pm PT, airing live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

This year’s nominations feature a mix of compelling new works and beloved revivals. "Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)" appears to be a front-runner, racking up nods for Best Original Score and acting. Richard O'Brien's "The Rocky Horror Show" is also prominent, with Luke Evans and Stephanie Hsu earning leading roles nominations. Classic dramas like "Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman," starring Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf, and "August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone" round out a strong field, promising a night of diverse and thrilling theatre. It's a testament to Broadway's enduring power and ability to reinvent itself for new generations.