The ABC network, according to Zap2it.com, averaged a 6.9 rating/12 share. NBC came in second with a 6.0 rating/10 share, and CBS, which presented the 58th Annual Tony Awards, came in third with a 5.2 rating/9 share. The eye network, however, did place ahead of FOX-TV, which scored a 2.7 rating/5 share.

According to these preliminary numbers, the 2004 Tonys were down slightly from the 2003 Awards, which scored a 5.4 rating/9 share. A single rating point represents roughly one million households; a share shows the percentage of televisions being used at the time.

CBS started the night ahead of the other networks with a 6.6 rating/13 share for its broadcast of "60 Minutes." ABC took the lead at 8 PM during the latter portion of "America's Funniest Home Videos" and the NBA pregame special. The basketball game drew a 7.3 rating/12 share during the 9-10 PM slot, and the end of the game and NBC's "Crossing Jordan" were neck-and neck at 10 PM.

Zap2it ratings are "taken from fast national data. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change, especially in the case of live telecasts."

Thought not a ratings winner, the 2004 Tony Awards is already being considered one of the finest telecasts in recent Tony history. Led by Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman as host, the evening featured several memorable speeches and production numbers.