The Golden Globe Awards, established in the 1940s by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), have long aimed to gain access to the glitz of Hollywood. However, after facing significant scandals regarding ethics, finances, and diversity, the HFPA ceased to exist in 2023. Its assets were sold to Eldridge Industries, led by billionaire Todd Boehly, alongside Dick Clark Productions, a part of Penske Media. These companies successfully recruited entertainment journalists from 85 countries, forming a new voting body comprised largely of 334 individuals, a substantial increase from HFPA’s previous 80 voters.
Despite these efforts for reform, the Golden Globes have continued to struggle. The 2024 ceremony garnered extensive criticism, emerging as a chaotic event. With Jo Koy stepping in as host at the last minute after more prominent celebrities declined the opportunity, the situation didn’t improve, as his performance fell flat. Additionally, many of the award recipients delivered hasty speeches, indicating a lack of enthusiasm.
The tumultuous journey of the Golden Globes began in 2021 when it was revealed by The Los Angeles Times that the voting pool lacked Black members, leading to a significant backlash. This fallout included publicists boycotting the event, resulting in NBC pulling the 2022 telecast completely. Although NBC reinstated the show in 2023 following some reform efforts, they ultimately parted ways after three decades of partnership.
In a noticeable shift, CBS stepped in to broadcast the 2024 Globes, purchasing the rights for less than $10 million, a steep drop from NBC’s previous annual fee of $60 million. Nielsen ratings showed improvement, with approximately 9.5 million viewers tuning in, a considerable increase from the prior year, prompting CBS to commit to airing the event for an additional five years.
The fluctuations in viewership for the Globes, much like the Oscars, often correlate with the popularity of nominated films. The recent success of “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie,” which together amassed over $2 billion globally, significantly boosted viewership ratings for the show. Expectation for the upcoming nominations remains high, with “Wicked” and “Dune: Part Two” likely contributing to a more favorable reception. While some nominated films have struggled at the box office, the industry hopes that more engaging content may revitalize interest in the awards.
Amid the challenges, there is a renewed opportunity for the Golden Globes to reinvent themselves and rebuild their reputation. The influx of a more diverse voting body and the interest generated by popular films present a hopeful outlook for future ceremonies. As they seek to engage viewers, the key lies in addressing past criticisms while embracing the evolving landscape of Hollywood.