The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is undergoing a drastic change to save the annual Golden Globe Awards.
The annual awards show – which went untelevised earlier this year for the first time in decades amid criticism for the HFPA’s lack of diversity – will now be handled by Eldridge Industries, according to Variety.
Eldridge and the HFPA will form a separate for-profit entity, while the HFPA’s charitable and philanthropic endeavors will be through a non-profit organization.
Drastic: The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is undergoing a drastic change to save the annual Golden Globe Awards
Owner: The annual awards show – which went untelevised earlier this year for the first time in decades amid criticism for the HFPA’s lack of diversity – will now be handled by Eldridge Industries, according to Variety
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association put itself on the auction block in May, with Todd Boehly, Eldridge Industries’ interim CEO, eyeing a purchase since then.
The HFPA membership voted to transfer ownership of the award show to Eldridge, which will create a new, private, for-profit company that will acquire all of the Globes’ assets and rights to intellectual property.
The new for-profit entity would, ‘be empowered to oversee the professionalization and modernization of the Golden Globe Awards.’
Auction: The Hollywood Foreign Press Association put itself on the auction block in May, with Todd Boehly, Eldridge Industries’ interim CEO, eyeing a purchase since then
The HFPA added, ‘the transition will include the development of staff and an executive team to lead the new organization.’
‘This is a historic moment for the HFPA and the Golden Globes,” said HFPA president Helen Hoehne in a statement.
‘We have taken a decisive step forward to transform ourselves and adapt to this increasingly competitive economic landscape for both award shows and the journalism marketplace,’ Hoehne added.
Transition: The HFPA added, ‘the transition will include the development of staff and an executive team to lead the new organization’
‘Our special committee and team of legal and financial advisors did an incredible amount of work in reviewing, analyzing, and comparing the options presented to us,’ she added.
‘We are excited to move forward with a mandate to ensure we continue our support for increasing diversity in all areas and maintaining our life-changing charitable and philanthropic efforts,’ Hoehne concluded.
It was also said that the new organization will add more Golden Globes voters, ‘to increase the size and diversity of the available voters for the annual awards.’
Excited: ‘We are excited to move forward with a mandate to ensure we continue our support for increasing diversity in all areas and maintaining our life-changing charitable and philanthropic efforts,’ Hoehne concluded
Diversity: It was also said that the new organization will add more Golden Globes voters, ‘to increase the size and diversity of the available voters for the annual awards.
There is also a possibility for controversy since Boehly will own both the Golden Globes and the production company that produces the show, MRC Live and Alternative, formerly known as Dick Clark Productions.
While the HFPA wouldn’t address any conflict of interest concerns, they did add that, ‘Boehly was not part of the review, recommendation, or approval process.’
‘This review process was comprehensive, deliberate and thoughtful to ensure fairness and accuracy,’ Hoehne said.
Controversy: There is also a possibility for controversy since Boehly will own both the Golden Globes and the production company that produces the show, MRC Live and Alternative, formerly known as Dick Clark Productions
‘Per our bylaws, the decision ultimately rested with our membership, who voted on the proposal. As we look forward to celebrating our 80th anniversary event in January 2023, we are incredibly excited about this new era for our Association,’ she added.
Still, there is no guarantee or confirmation that the 80th Golden Globes will return to the NBC airwaves.
The awards show had aired annually on NBC since 1996, before last year’s untelevised ceremony at the Beverly Hilton, with no nominees in attendance.
NBC: The awards show had aired annually on NBC since 1996, before last year’s untelevised ceremony at the Beverly Hilton, with no nominees in attendance
Source: | Dailymail.co.uk