A&E Network and Entertainment Weekly, in conjunction with the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA), today announced a multi-platform content and promotional partnership for the 22ND ANNUAL CRITICS' CHOICE AWARDS, it was jointly announced today by Paul Buccieri, President of A+E Studios and A+E Networks Portfolio Group; Bruce Gersh, Senior Vice President, Brand Business Development, Time Inc.; and Joey Berlin, BFCA and BTJA President.
The partnership will kick off with the exclusive announcement of the nominations for the "22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards" Television categories live on EW.com and the People/Entertainment Weekly Network (People.com/PEN) on November 14 and the Movie categories on December 1. The nominations will be hosted by EW's Jessica Shaw.
"As the A&E brand continues to lead the cultural conversation, EW's position as the preeminent voice in pop culture makes them the perfect promotional and content partner for A&E on the 'Critics' Choice Awards'," said Buccieri. "Together, our brands can help drive fan engagement in one of Hollywood's biggest events."
"We are excited to extend Entertainment Weekly in this multi-platform, and multi-year partnership with A&E Network and the Critics' Choice Awards," said Gersh. "This partnership will incorporate Entertainment Weekly into the show, and increase the reach for the Critics' Choice Awards by leveraging Time Inc.'s iconic, trusted and influential brands including Entertainment Weekly, PEOPLE, TIME and the recently launched People/Entertainment Weekly Network."
"This is the breakout year for the Critics' Choice Awards," added Berlin. "Moving up in the calendar to kickoff the major awards season on December 11 and adding Entertainment Weekly and the other powerhouse Time Inc. brands to our terrific partnership with A&E will blast our show into the top tier of must-watch awards shows."
Comedian and actor T.J. Miller will return as host of "The 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards," a star-studded show celebrating the best in movies and television broadcast live on A&E from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Sunday, December 11th at 8PM ET/5PM PT, immediately following "Critics' Choice Red Carpet Live" on A&E at 7PM ET/4PT, which will also be live streamed on EW.com, People.com and People/Entertainment Weekly Networks.
The "Critics' Choice Awards" will feature a new award, celebrating EW's annual Entertainer of the Year. The winner will be announced during the live broadcast and featured in Entertainment Weekly's annual Best and Worst issue. Previous honorees include Jennifer Lawrence, Jimmy Fallon, Taylor Swift, Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock.
Entertainment Weekly will provide additional linear, digital and print content within and leading up to the "22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards," featuring EW editors, writer and critics, including the one-hour special, "The Road to the Critics' Choice Awards," (working title) showcasing the year's nominees and their achievements.
In addition, the partners' respective ad sales groups will come together to develop and market multi-content, multi-platform ad sales and integration packages offering clients a range of innovative options to be a part of the awards.
More details of the exclusive partnership will be unveiled closer to the broadcast.
"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 more than 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 Awards" are the most accurate predictor of the Academy Award nominations.
"The 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards" will be produced by Bob Bain Productions and Berlin Entertainment. BFCA/BTJA are represented by WME and Dan Black of Greenberg Traurig.
