Whatever you feel about the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which have been surrounded by controversy the past few years, and its annual Golden Globe Awards, they have remained an integral staple in the awards season as a precursor for the Academy Awards for eight decades. That is besides the fact that there is very little to no crossover between the HFPA and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Television Academy, both of which are made up of working professionals in the respective industries.
One of the things that happened with the controversy surrounding the Golden Globes is that it lost its normal broadcasting partner, NBC, a few years back, but today, it’s been announced that CBS and Paramount+ have stepped up to air the 81st edition of the Hollywood awards show live on January 7, 2024, before it will be available to stream on Paramount+ and the CBS app. The show will take place after a late-season NFL on CBS Sunday doubleheader. Plans are to air the ceremony live from coast-to-coast with stations in the Pacific time zone rebroadcasting the entire Golden Globe Awards in prime time after the live ceremony.
The Golden Globes were acquired by Dick Clark Productions and Eldridge, who bought all the assets, rights and properties from the HFPA, which was dissolved with the Globes being turned into a commercial enterprise. The Globes will be returning to CBS for the first time since the network aired the ceremony in 1981 and 1982, but NBC has aired the ceremony since 1996. In 2023, NBC returned as a broadcast partner for a one-year agreement after declining to air the show in 2022, but the 2023 show drew the awards’ second-lowest ratings ever with just 6.3 million viewers, so the contract wasn’t renewed.
This partnership allows CBS to lay claim to two of the top television awards shows, including the Grammys, which will air one month later on Feb. 4, 2024.
In a statement, George Cheeks, President & Chief Executive Officer of CBS, said, “Live entertainment and sports have, and will always be, a hallmark of CBS, and the Globes adds an exciting new dimension to our first quarter schedule this year. The January timing also provides the added benefit of yet another signature platform to promote the return of CBS’ new primetime schedule in February.”
Jay Penske, CEO, Chairman and Founder of Penske Media and owner of Dick Clark Productions, added, “We’re so proud to bring the Golden Globes to CBS to celebrate 81 years of award show history. CBS has demonstrated an impressive 30-year commitment to the Grammys and been instrumental to their long-term success. In CBS we found an ideal partner who understands the value of live entertainment programming and whose multi-platform distribution model is reflective of how global audiences choose to consume content today.”
As reported earlier, two new categories: “Cinematic and Box Office Achievement” and “Best Stand-Up Comedian on Television” will be added to the 2024 Globes.
“In an age when audiences are viewing content on their own schedules, we are delighted to bring the Golden Globes to viewers globally through CBS’ robust platforms,” said Golden Globes President Helen Hoehne. “Audiences will have the ability to enjoy our show live and on demand. We cannot wait to reveal the magic of what will be our most unforgettable show yet.”
Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner of White Cherry Entertainment will serve as executive-producing showrunners for the 81st Golden Globe Awards, with Weiss also set to direct. The awards show is produced and owned by Dick Clark Productions.
