The embattled Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) is bringing back the Golden Globes on January 10, 2023 – oddly, a Tuesday – in a one-year agreement that will see NBC and Peacock broadcast the ceremony live.
The HFPA has been in reform mode since a spring 2021 bombshell report in Los Angeles Times alleged financial impropriety and a lack of ethnic diversity among membership. The group recently brought in 103 new voters to its ranks, marking the first time international-based voters have been added to the voting pool.
The group said it now represents 62 countries, adding that 52% of membership is female and 51.5% is racially and ethnically diverse comprising 19.5% Latinx members, 12% Asian, 10% Black and 10% Middle Eastern.
The upshot of the group’s much-publicised efforts to effect change is a one-year deal that gives NBC room to back out after awards season.
“We recognize the HFPA’s commitment to ongoing change and look forward to welcoming back the Golden Globes to NBC for its landmark 80th Anniversary in January 2023,” said Frances Berwick, chairman, entertainment networks, NBCUniversal television and streaming.
HFPA president Helen Hoehne said the upcoming ceremony at the awards show’s traditional Beverly Hilton venue would see the return of the “party of the year”. There was no show this year and the last broadcast in 2021 drew an all-time low viewership of 6.9m based on Nielsen data.
Proceeds from the broadcast provide funding for the HFPA’s philanthropy and charitable giving programmes. So far in 2022 the HFPA says it has awarded more than $4.5m to 93 programmes and organisations.
While the HFPA operates under a non-profit structure, The Globes themselves are a for-profit enterprise now owned by Eldridge Industries, run by Chelsea F.C. owner Todd Boehly.
The deadline for film and TV submissions is November 7 and nominations will be announced on December 12 ahead of the 80th anniversary ceremony in January.
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