It will be the third year in a row that CBS will handle the expanded, three-hour program. Prior to that, PBS broadcast the first hour of the awards, in which several of the less- prominent prized were bestowed.

Nancy Coyne, Frances and Harry Edelstein, Martha Swope and the cast of Roundabout Theatre's Big River revival are among the recipients of the 2004 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre, it was recently announced. The Tony committee also announced new rules for the 2005 Awards.

The American Theatre Wing and the League of American Theatres and Producers have bestowed the 2004 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre to the ensemble cast of the American Sign Language adaptation of Big River, Nancy Coyne of the Serino Coyne advertising agency, restauranteurs Frances and Harry Edelstein of the Edison Café and Vincent Sardi of Sardi’s as well as Broadway production photographer Martha Swope.

The Honors will be presented to the recipients Oct. 26 at a noon ceremony at Tavern on the Green.

Established in 1990, The Tony Honors have been presented annually by the Tony Administration Committee to "institutions, individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in theatre, but are not eligible in any of the established Tony Award categories." In 2003, a new tradition began whereby the Tony Honors would be announced and presented in a separate ceremony to allow the honorees their due moment. The Tony Administration Committee have also announced rule changes for the forthcoming 2005 Tony Awards: