LOS ANGELES, June 12 (Portal) – The Golden Globe Awards were sold on Monday to a new owner who will shut down the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the constituency controversy over ethical failings and a lack of diversity.
Eldridge Industries acquired the Golden Globe assets with Dick Clark Productions (DCP), which will continue to manage the broadcast of the awards show and focus on growing Globes viewership worldwide, according to a press release. DCP is jointly owned by Eldridge and Penske Media.
The sale comes after the HFPA struggled to restore its reputation following backlash in Hollywood over its ethics and lack of diversity, which led to US television network NBC canceling the 2022 Golden Globes ceremony.
A 2021 Los Angeles Times investigation found that the organization had no black journalists in its ranks. Some members have been accused of making sexist and racist remarks and asking favors from celebrities and film studios.
[1/2] A person works on stage before the announcement of the 80th Golden Globe Awards nominations on December 12, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California, United States. Portal/Mario Anzuoni
The HFPA responded by expanding and diversifying its membership and introducing new ethics policies.
Eldridge Industries Chairman Todd Boehly wants to transform the HFPA, a not-for-profit organization of international entertainment reporters, into a for-profit corporation. All 310 current voters are eligible to cast their ballots for the next ceremony in January 2024, a spokesman said.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the development of the Golden Globes,” Boehly said in a statement.
NBC re-aired the Globes in 2023. No broadcaster has yet registered to hold the ceremony in 2024.
The financial terms of the deal, which was approved by the California Attorney General, were not disclosed.
Reporting by Danielle Broadway in Los Angeles. Additional reporting by Lisa Richwine in Los Angeles. Edited by Matthew Lewis
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Danielle Broadway