CEO MONTHLY / FEMALE CEO OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2025 16 In a media landscape defined by niche streaming destinations, Crunchyroll for anime fans, Shudder for horror aficionados, BroadwayHD stands as the definitive destination for theater lovers and those who have yet to discover their passion for the stage. Under Comley’s leadership, the platform has redefined what it means to “go to the theater,” making worldclass productions accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Founded by Tony and Olivier Award-winning Broadway producers Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane, BroadwayHD is built on a clear and powerful mission: to promote and preserve live theater for generations to come. The service captures the magic of live performances through expert digital recordings and brings them directly to audiences across the globe. The result is a streaming library that functions not only as entertainment but as an educational resource and cultural archive. From When the 2025 CEO Monthly Award for “Streaming Media CEO of the Year” was announced, there was one name that stood out as both visionary and inevitable: Bonnie Comley, CEO and Founder of BroadwayHD. As the driving force behind the world’s premier streaming platform dedicated exclusively to live theater, Comley has transformed how audiences experience stage productions, and how the industry preserves its artistic legacy. Broadway and Off-Broadway to London’s West End and acclaimed regional theaters, BroadwayHD’s catalog represents an extraordinary cross-section of theatrical excellence. For Comley, accessibility is central to BroadwayHD’s purpose. “Theater is an art form that thrives on connection,” she has often said. “By filming and streaming live performances, we’re connecting audiences who might never have the chance to sit in a Broadway seat—with the stories, songs, and artistry that define our culture.” The value of BroadwayHD’s contribution extends far beyond the convenience of ondemand access. In an era when attention spans are fragmented and live entertainment faces fierce competition from digital content, BroadwayHD has provided the theater industry with something priceless: longevity. This exposure builds familiarity with the work—its songs, storylines, and creative teams. When theatergoers recognize a show they’ve loved on BroadwayHD, they are more inclined to purchase tickets for future live performances. The numbers reinforce this logic: while a Broadway ticket costs an average of $134 to $138 during the 2024–2025 season, a BroadwayHD annual subscription is $199.99, offering unlimited access to hundreds of productions. For less than the cost of two premium theater tickets, subscribers can explore the full spectrum of the art form— from classics like Oklahoma! to contemporary sensations like Kinky Boots or Falsettos. In this way, BroadwayHD doesn’t compete with Broadway, it fuels it. The platform cultivates educated, enthusiastic audiences who are more likely to become in-person patrons. Streaming theater is not the end of live theater; it’s a sustainable bridge to its future. BroadwayHD serves as both a cultural classroom and a gateway drug for the stage curious. The platform introduces new audiences to the breadth and diversity of theatrical storytelling—musicals, plays, experimental works, and concert performances alike. Viewers learn to recognize the names of composers, lyricists, choreographers, and directors, developing a deeper appreciation for the collaborative art form that defines theater. For educators, BroadwayHD offers a ready-made library of classroom tools. For families, it’s a way to share the magic of Broadway across generations. And for performers and industry professionals, it’s a living archive—a record of how productions looked, sounded, and felt in their moment. Comley’s leadership style combines entrepreneurial agility with deep respect for the traditions of theater. She approaches BroadwayHD not merely as a business venture, but as a cultural stewardship project. In the ever-expanding world of streaming media, her success demonstrates that innovation can coexist with preservation—and that technology, when guided by purpose, can amplify the human connection that live theater embodies. Her peers in the entertainment and technology sectors recognize this balance as the reason for BroadwayHD’s enduring relevance. At a time when streaming platforms compete for attention through algorithmic churn, BroadwayHD offers something rare: authentic engagement. Its subscribers aren’t passive viewers—they’re participants in an ongoing cultural dialogue. The platform’s growth under Comley’s guidance has also created new opportunities for theater professionals. By capturing and distributing productions, BroadwayHD provides creative teams and performers with a lasting record of their work, something once thought impossible in the world of live performance. These recordings become valuable educational tools, career benchmarks, and historical artifacts, preserving not only the shows themselves but the collective artistry behind them. Her leadership reminds us that sustainability in the arts requires both preservation and progress. Through BroadwayHD, Comley has built a model that other creative industries are now studying: one that honors tradition while embracing transformation. As she accepts the CEO Monthly Award, Bonnie Comley continues to look forward to a world where access to theater is not a privilege, but a shared global experience. With BroadwayHD, she has turned that vision into reality, one stream, one story, and one captivated viewer at a time. BroadwayHD is a subscriptionbased streaming platform offering an extensive library of professionally filmed live stage productions from Broadway, Off-Broadway, London’s West End, and beyond. Through high-quality digital captures, BroadwayHD bridges the gap between stage and screen— ensuring that the art of live theater continues to thrive for generations to come. Contact: Bonnie Comley Company: BroadwayHD Website: www.BroadwayHD.com Streaming Media CEO of the Year 2025: Bonnie Comley
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