NBC nixes 2022 Golden Globes; HFPA sets reform timeline

NBC announced today that it will not air the 79th Golden Globe Awards in 2022 and look to 2023 if the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) is able to implement sweeping changes. In a statement from earlier today, the network said:

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

This comes hot off the heels of Netflix, who said they would refuse access to their talent if the group did not make drastic changes to their membership (which at this time, has no Black members among its 90). Very soon, Amazon followed then this morning WarnerMedia and HBO followed suit.

Last week, the org released their plan for reform that included increasing the number of people of color in its ranks. The plan, which was approved on Thursday, also includes new restrictions on gifts that the members could receive and payments for work on their committees. 78 members voted in favor of the new guidelines, with three opposing. What ultimately made NBC pull the plug was the non-committal deadline that the HFPA refused to set for these changes. The network also demanded the the group not simply add 20 more members (as was also part of its original plan) but to double it with new members plus one, in effect giving new members a number leverage over the old.

Three-time Golden Globe winner Tom Cruise (Best Actor, Jerry Maguire; Best Actor, Born on the Fourth of July; Best Supporting Actor, Magnolia) announced this afternoon that he is returning his awards to HFPA headquarters in Los Angeles.

NBC holds exclusive rights to airing the Golden Globes and with this announcement today their future is up in the air, with the network, HFPA and Dick Clark Productions needing to hash out what a future, if any, will look like.

The 78th Golden Globe Awards were held in a bi-coastal ceremony with virtual components and an in-person audience of first responders. They were hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

UPDATED below

Just hours after the news broke that NBC will not air the 2002 Golden Globe Awards due to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s lack of a timeline of committed change and for not a big enough change itself, the HFPA responded with the timeline of intended reforms, saying they are “implementing transformational changes as quickly – and as thoughtfully – as possible,” and “remains the top priority for our organization.”

They continued, “We invite our partners in the industry to the table to work with us on the systemic reform that is long overdue, both in our organization as well as within the industry at large.”

Here is the timeline of reform milestones the HFPA has set forth, regardless of the next air date of the Golden Globe Awards.

Week of May 3

• Members meet, consider, and overwhelmingly vote to approve and implement the Board’s plan for transformational change
• Board continues to meet with advocacy groups to develop initiatives to fulfill the HFPA’s commitment to add at least 20 new members by August 2021 and increase membership by 50% in 18 months
• Eradicating the new member one year moratorium on voting; All new members will have all voting rights day 1.
• Board and members approve hiring of Ropes & Gray to amend and restate Bylaws and other governing documents to implement member-approved plan for transformational change

Weeks of May 10 and 17

• Revise and approve new Code of conduct in consultation with Publicists and studios
• Continue outreach to potential new member candidates
• Publish Code of Conduct and establish Hotline for reporting of violations
• Engage independent third party investigator to review and respond promptly to all Hotline claims
• Interview candidates and engage new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) consultant
• Identify and recruit independent, outside professionals and non-Board members and form Accountability/Oversight Board (“Advisory Board”) to oversee HFPA Board in implementing plan for transformational change
• Interview Executive Search Firms to commence search for Chief DEI/HR Officer and identification of potential CEO/CFO and other executives to lead HFPA
• HFPA website to be continuously updated to show progress against plan and to list promised Member information (biographies, publications, affiliations, etc.)

Weeks of May 24 and 31

• New DEI Consultant and other outside experts conduct mandatory member trainings for DEI and sexual harassment
• Board and Advisory Board continue work on identification of applicants to fulfill commitment to add at least 20 new members by August 2021
• Grants Officer and subcommittee of members continue work to increase support of internship, mentorship, and scholarship programs for students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in international journalism
• Identify and recruit independent, outside professionals for new Credentials Committee, which will oversee new membership application process and reaccreditation of current members based on same criteria as new members
• Continue review of committee structure / compensation
• First reading of Bylaw Amendments at General Membership Meeting (“GMM”)

Weeks of June 7, 14, and 21

• Focus groups with members, Advisory Board, and Ropes & Gray to review amendments to Bylaws and other governing documents
• Board assesses and evaluates recommendations of Executive Search Firm for new Executive Officer team
• Form new Credentials Committee
• All above work streams on trainings, mentorship, and recruitment continue

Week of June 28

• Second reading of Bylaw Amendments at GMM
• Ballots for voting on Bylaw Amendments mailed to members
• Implement new policies on Gifts, Travel, Conflicts of Interest, and Press Conferences

Week of July 5

• Members vote on Bylaw Amendments by ballot

Weeks of July 12 and 19

• Approved Bylaw Amendments become effective
• New Officer and Board elections under amended and restated Bylaws
• New membership process opens per new criteria enacted in amended and restated Bylaws
• All existing members required to meet same standards as new members for reaccreditation of their membership

Week of July 26

• New member process continues
• Reaccreditation continues

Week of August 2

• New members admitted to HFPA
• New Board elected, including independent members, in accordance with amended and restated Bylaws
• New CEO/CFO and other Executive Team approved and engaged to manage HFPA
• Existing Board and Officers resign upon election of New Board and hiring of Executive Team