The decision definitely ups the profile of the dubious Broadcast Television Film Critics but might it diminish the appeal of the film awards? It will be more like the Golden Globes, which also do TV, only with a bazillion more categories to hand out – unless they decide to cut the film awards way, way down. That would mean they’d have to give out the “lesser” awards off camera.
Press release as follows:
A+E NETWORKS EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BROADCAST FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION AND THE BROADCAST TELEVISION JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION TO COMBINE ‘THE CRITICS’ CHOICE TELEVISION & MOVIE AWARDS’ INTO ONE UNFORGETTABLE SHOW
‘THE 21ST ANNUAL CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS’ TO SIMULCAST LIVE ON A&E, LIFETIME AND LMN ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 AT 8 PM ET/PT
New York, NY—September 30, 2015 — A+E Networks, home of “The Critics’ Choice Television Awards” and “The Critics’ Choice Movie Awards” for the past year, will combine the two shows into one star-studded three-hour event. Together, the network and its continued partnership with the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) and the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) will showcase the achievements of some of the biggest names in television and film today. The announcement was made jointly today by Elaine Frontain Bryant, Executive Vice President of Programming for A&E, and Joey Berlin, BFCA/BTJA President. “The 21st Annual Critics’ Choice Awards” will air live on A&E, Lifetime and LMN on Sunday, January 17 at 8PM ET/PT immediately following a live Red Carpet show at 7PM ET/PT.
Last year’s movie and television award shows were hosted by Michael Strahan and Cat Deeley respectively, joined by the industry’s biggest stars. The host for this year’s combined award show will be announced at a later date.
“We are thrilled to bring the two Critics’ Choice Awards shows into one super-show,” said Berlin. “At a time when there are so many great movies and television shows to choose from – and so many spectacular performances – it is logical, appropriate and useful for America’s leading film and television critics and reporters to collectively honor the best of the best at the start of the new year. Bringing all these stars together in one room is going to create an incredible night of entertainment.”
“Combining the television and film communities within one telecast of ‘The Critics’ Choice Awards’ even further elevates this star-studded gala event,” said Frontain Bryant. “We’re thrilled to be able to give viewers an up close look at so much talent together under one roof with this unique and enhanced awards show.”
“The Critics’ Choice Awards” are bestowed annually by the BFCA and BTJA to honor the finest in cinematic and television achievement. The BFCA is the largest film critics’ organization in the United States and Canada, representing almost 300 television, radio and online critics. BFCA members are the primary source of information for today’s film going public. BTJA is the collective voice of almost 100 journalists who regularly cover television for TV viewers, radio listeners and online audiences. Historically, “The Critics’ Choice Movie Awards” are the most accurate predictor of the Academy Award nominations.
“The 21st Annual Critics’ Choice Awards” will be produced by Bob Bain Productions and Berlin Entertainment. BFCA/BTJA were represented by WME and Dan Black of Greenberg Traurig on this deal.
About BFCA/BTJA
The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) is the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada, representing almost 300 television, radio and online critics. The Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) is a partner organization to the Broadcast Film Critics Association. BTJA includes TV, radio and Internet journalists who cover television on a regular basis. For more information, visit: www.CriticsChoice.com
About A&E
Now reaching more than 96 million homes, A&E is the home to quality original content that inspires and challenges audiences to BE ORIGINAL. A&E offers a diverse mix of uniquely immersive entertainment ranging from the network’s original scripted series, including “Bates Motel” and “Damien” to signature non-fiction franchises, including “Duck Dynasty,” “Wahlburgers” and “Storage Wars.” The A&E website is located at aetv.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aetv and Facebook at facebook.com/AETV. For more press information and photography, please visit us at press.aenetworks.com.
###
lol at us trolling the pope on a post about the Broadcast Film Critics Association. Says a lot rly…
I’m all for this. I loathe the choices this bunch of philistines regularly makes in their film categories, but their TV taste is leagues ahead of the Emmys’. And handing out the below-the-line categories prior to the ceremony isn’t that unusual given that the Emmys have their own ceremony for that. It’s perhaps more dignified than giving Tony Kushner an award during a commercial break, or giving John Williams and Johannes Kuhnke one on the red carpet.
tbh I’d give Johannes Kuhnke one anywhere…
TV deserves a serious awards program. On the other hand, TV is doing very well without one.
Maybe they should stop having it in a barn or whatever. Watching it on TV it just seems really cheap and no one is paying attention and they sound super far away. Isn’t this the one that the first time we saw it Orlando Bloom had to pick up Dakota Fanning (literally)? Before that it was a private party type thing, no? Anyway, I can’t imagine what a hot mess it will be now. Maybe, akin to the Mtv awards, they can give the “lesser” awards out on the freeway on the way there.
btw, you guys were right about the Pope. He’s an asshat (literally). My mistake.
This is too much. It annoys me that several film categories already get diverted to commercial breaks. However, if the BFCA can get more inebriated than the GGs, I’ll forgive them for everything.
This is so utterly pointless and unnecessary. They already have to hand out several awards off camera per year, which was bad enough, but what the hell is going to happen now? Just keep them separate so people who actually care about the TV awards can have their own show, while everyone else can keep enjoying the film side of it. .