For 20 years now, the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards have bestowed prestigious honors on the best filmmaking of the previous year. Coming in early January, they have also historically served to set a path forward for the anointed into the Academy Awards.
For five years, the Critics’ Choice Television Awards, held in late May or early June, have elevated the finest television shows of the previous season, their creators and talent.
Now, the two will come together in one spectacular winter awards season show, to be held January 17, 2016 and be simulcast live on A&E, Lifetime and LMN. Set to run three hours, the show will come one week after the Golden Globe Awards, which also honor both television and film.
The announcement was made by Joey Berlin, president of BFCA and BTJA, the critics’ organizations for film and television and A&E EVP Programming Elaine Frontain Bryant.
“Film and TV awards together in one three-hour show – yes, there will be similarities to the Golden Globes,” Berlin said. “But we believe it’s meaningful in this age of such abundant high quality film and television for BFCA and BTJA – made up of America’s leading film and television critics and reporters – to offer their well-informed assessments of the best in popular entertainment.”
Added Frontain Bryant: “Combining the television and film communities within one telecast of ‘The Critics’ Choice Awards’ even further elevates this star-studded gala event. 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.”
Presumably, some of the categories previously presented on air may not be in the combined show, as each show previously ran two hours. A host or hosts has yet to be named.
The three-hour kudocast will be preceded by a one-hour live red carpet before the main event, set to take place in Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hangar.
“Bringing all these stars together in one room is going to create an incredible night of entertainment,” said Berlin.
Earlier this year, Critics’ Choice Movie Awards on A&E drew 1.92 million total viewers when it aired January 15. The television awards, in their first year on A&E after being on the CW, garnered 522,000 total viewers on May 31.
BFCA/BTJA was repped in the deal by WME and Greenberg Traurig.
