Golden Globe Awards sold off after years of scandals

It’s been a bumpy few years for the Golden Globe Awards – and today, the whole show has been sold off to a new buyer for a fresh start.

The Golden Globe Awards. Picture: Robyn Beck / AFP

Dick Clark Productions has acquired the Golden Globes, resulting in the dissolution of the non-profit Hollywood Foreign Press Association after years of controversy.

DCP announced today that it and asset management company Eldridge have acquired all the assets, rights and properties of the Golden Globes from the HFPA.

The HFPA was founded in 1943 by a group of LA-based entertainment journalists. Members and non-member voters selected the Golden Globe nominees and winners.

DCP, which also puts on the Billboard Music Awards and “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve,” will now plan, host and produce the annual Golden Globe Awards show.

The transaction will result in the end of the HFPA and its membership.

After years of scandal, big changes are afoot for the Golden Globes. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP

The proceeds from the sale, plus the existing resources of the HFPA, will go into a newly-formed non-profit, the Golden Globe Foundation.

“We are excited to close on this much anticipated member-approved transaction and transition from a member-led organisation to a commercial enterprise,” Helen Hoehn, HFPA president, said in a release sent to The Post.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Golden Globes,” added Eldridge Chairman Todd Boehly. “My partners at DCP and I are grateful to Helen and team for their commitment to the successful implementation of a robust approach to governance, the expansion of the diverse and international voting body, implementing a professional, safe and accountable environment, and trusting new ownership with a new direction for the Globes.”

“As stewards of the Golden Globe Awards, our mission is to continue creating the most dynamic awards ceremony on live television viewed across the world,” said Jay Penske, CEO, chairman and founder of Penske Media and CEO of DCP. “We have a great team in place to grow this iconic brand and captivate new and existing audiences to celebrate the very best in television and motion pictures.”

Golden Globes put on hold

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosting the 2021 Golden Globes – the next year, the awards were rested.

In 2022, NBC decided not to broadcast the Golden Globes citing the need for “meaningful reform” and more diversity within the embattled HFPA.

“We continue to believe that the HFPA is committed to meaningful reform. However, change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we feel strongly that the HFPA needs time to do it right,” the network said in a statement at the time, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

“As such, NBC will not air the 2022 Golden Globes. Assuming the organisation executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023.”

Awards return after one-year pause

The telecast returned this past January after the HFPA claimed it had addressed concerns by adding 103 new voters.

Host Jerrod Carmichael still took shots at the association during his monologue, congratulating the “six new black members” of the HFPA voting committee — and suggesting he was chosen to host the evening because he’s black.

Kimmel slams broadcast as ‘nonsense’

Jimmy Kimmel hosting the Oscars in March. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty

In March, Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel took a swipe at the Golden Globes, suggesting it was “not a real awards show” and further declaring that the group’s eventual downfall was a long time coming.

“The Globes are some foreign bike messengers who realised they’d get some free dinners if they decided to form this organisation,” Kimmel told Rolling Stone. “I don’t know why it took so long for the world to figure that out! I think perhaps the world didn’t want to figure that out. We also know that if you have a trophy made, somebody’s gonna go up to take it.”

In response, the HFPA said it was “disappointed” with his take on the awards process and attempted to pump up the newfound diversity in its mix.

“The Golden Globes’ voting body is 52% female and 51.8% racially and ethnically diverse, a singular achievement in Hollywood today,” the organisation said in a statement to The Post.

“Millions of fans around the world support the Golden Globes, which have highlighted the best in film and television for 80 years.”

The 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards will take place on Sunday, January 7, 2024.

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as Golden Globe Awards sold off after years of scandals