Golden Globes Return to TV in 2023, with a One-Year Deal Between NBC and HFPA

NBC, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and Dick Clark Productions made the announcement that the Golden Globes would return to the network in 2023 on Tuesday. On Tuesday, January 10, at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT, the ceremony will return to the Beverly Hilton in time for its 80th anniversary. On Peacock, the broadcast will also be live streamed.

 

The NFL football game that Sunday and the NCAA National Championship Game that Monday forced NBC to move the Globe Awards to Tuesday, the network claims. (The Critics Choice Awards have already earmarked January 15 as their event day.)

 

NBC declined to comment on the agreement’s specifics, including whether the $60 million licence fee for the programme had been reduced. However, it’s obvious that a new agreement had been reached because NBC’s new deal with the Globes is only for a year. This, according to the press release announcing the return, “allows the HFPA and DCP to explore new opportunities for domestic and global distribution across a variety of platforms in the future.”

 

The agreement is the result of months of discussions concerning the network’s plans to resume its awards programme. Given ongoing questions regarding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s conduct and whether its changes had gone far enough, such an announcement had not been a guarantee.

 

The membership of the HFPA, which had fallen to about 80, had lately increased to 103 new voters, according to a recent announcement. For the first time, voters from outside of the United States were included to the group. According to the HFPA, the voting body for the Globes “is now 52% female and 51.5% racially and ethnically diverse, including 19.5% Latinx, 12% Asian, 10% Black and 10% Middle Eastern.”

 

Frances Berwick, chairman, entertainment networks, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, issued a statement saying, “We respect the HFPA’s dedication to continual reform and look forward to welcome back the Golden Globes to NBC for its momentous 80th anniversary in January 2023.”

 

The next Golden Globe nominations will be announced on December 12. This summer’s announcement by Eldridge Industries that it would take over the Golden Globe Awards raised the probability that the Globes would return. According to the new agreement, the Globes will break from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s charity and philanthropic activities, which will be run as a non-profit organisation, and become a for-profit private corporation.

 

The HFPA membership agreed to approve the sale of Eldridge, which is led by Todd Boehly, the organization’s interim CEO since last year, with the ownership. In order to “expand the size and variety of the available voters for the annual awards,” the group stated it would add more Golden Globes voters as part of the shift.

 

Helen Hoehne, the president of the HFPA, submitted a long list of the HFPA’s reforms to a group of publicists in August.

 

The modifications and adjustments HFPA has made were summarised in the letter, most of which have already been publicised or announced. The emphasis is on the following changes: electing a new board of directors with three non-member directors, appointing a chief diversity officer, establishing a Credentials Committee to reaccredit current members of the Association in a formal review process, choosing a new class of 21 members (29% of whom identify as Black), requiring members to attend mandatory DEI and sexual harassment prevention training sessions, implementing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programme, and standardising the application process for membership.

 

The letter stated that “all 101 members are now going through the reaccreditation process in 2022,” which calls for each member to sign a fresh code of conduct every year. Some members will be given emeritus status, which entitles them to vote but prevents them from asking questions during press briefings.

 

The press release further stated that “efforts” were being made to recruit additional voting members for the group by reaching out to foreign journalists based outside of the United States. It was stated that this new class of members would “supplement the existing membership to create diversity, expand international market outreach, and allow for greater participation from the international community.” The group hopes to welcome these individuals in time for them to cast ballots for the 80th Golden Globe Awards, which are set for early 2023, according to the press release.

 

Leaders of Eldridge and the MRC, Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu, decided to divide their assets into separate companies this summer. Among other organisations, Eldridge retained Globes producer Dick Clark Productions (formerly MRC Live and Alternative and prior to that, Dick Clark Prods.).

 

Adam Stotsky, president of DCP, said in a statement, “We have witnessed first-hand the dedication of the HFPA as it continues to modernise and carry out its crucial mandate. We’re thrilled to put on the event that opens the awards season, benefits so many people in Los Angeles, and influences artists all across the world.

 

The most recent Golden Globes show on NBC, which featured hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, received the lowest ratings ever for the telecast: According to Nielsen, the COVID-delayed ceremony averaged a 1.5 rating among adults 18-49 and 6.9 million total viewers on February 28, 2021. 18.3 million people watched the Globes’ most recent pre-pandemic ceremony in January 2020.

 

The HFPA, led by president Helen Hoehne, met with major studios and networks in the spring and early summer to give out the list of reforms the organisation had made over the previous 18 months, Variety reported in June. Since the Los Angeles Times revealed fresh claims of dubious financial practises inside the tiny, exclusive group as well as its pitiful track record of diversity and representation in the spring of 2021, the HFPA has been engaged in reform efforts (including an entire lack of Black members).

 

NBC nevertheless declared that it would not broadcast the Golden Globes in 2022 in response to the accusations of dubious methods and a dearth of diverse membership.

 

The HFPA carried forward with the 2022 Golden Globes in January without NBC as a broadcast partner, holding a private event at the Beverly Hilton without any candidates in attendance. The Golden Globes’ charitable partners and endeavours were highlighted during the 2022 event instead.

 

Even while NBC partially supported the HFPA’s reform initiative last fall, it remained concerned that the organisation had not found a means to regain the trust of talent agents, whose clients’ participation is crucial for the Golden Globes telecast. According to sources speaking to Variety in June, NBC informed the HFPA that before the Globes could return, it needed to secure backing from the studios and TV networks as well as ensure that the red carpet will be lined with A-list celebrities.

 

According to Variety, the leadership of Disney, Netflix, and Amazon had shown support for bringing back the Globes, and several PR firms had joined the cause as well. However, some others, like ID founder and CEO Kelly Bush Novak, had continued to be sceptical of the HFPA’s current activities.

 

In a statement to Variety in June, Novak said, “I have in fact been a strong advocate for change within the HFPA, alongside scores of agencies, representatives, and clients who see a re-imagined organisation that equitably reflects our business and the artists we serve. The HFPA’s efforts have been extensively documented, therefore we should all continue to be involved in supporting (and, if necessary, challenging) their methodology. Our shared objective will definitely benefit the larger community and the arts. I have optimism.

 

The schedule for the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards is as follows:

 

The deadline for motion picture and television submissions is November 7, 2022, Monday.
On December 12th, 2022, Monday: Nominations made public
On January 10, 2023, Tuesday: 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards Live Stream
In a statement, Hoehne said, “It’s amazing to be back at the Beverly Hilton for the must-see celebration honouring the best in film and television.” “The HFPA remains dedicated to making significant improvements and assisting initiatives that place a high value on inclusion, diversity, and openness.”

 

This study was made possible by Wilson Chapman.