Seven TV journalists have resigned from the executive committee of the Broadcast Television Journalists Association following today’s news that TV nominations for the next Critics’ Choice Awards will be announced exclusively on EW.com and the People/Entertainment Weekly Network.
Among the seven to resign in protest were the nominating committee’s two co-chairs – TVLine’s Michael Ausiello and Variety’s Debra Birnbaum, both sister sites to Deadline. The resignations come on the first day the TV committee was to begin its deliberations for nominations.
“What I loved about the organization is that it was never about one outlet, but about the entire industry coming together to recognize the best that television had to offer,” Asuiello said. “Now it seems like it’s becoming a marketing event for a single brand, and that’s something I’m just not comfortable with. I wish them the best.”
Others resigning in protest include The Myers Report’s Ed Martin, BuzzFeed’s Jarett Wieselman, TV Insider’s Matt Roush, TVLine’s Matt Mitovich and Variety’s Maureen Ryan.
“A handful of BTJA members did resign today,” said BFCA president Joey Berlin, “but the Critics’ Choice nominating committee will continue its work and the TV nominations will be announced on November 14 as scheduled. We hate to lose any members, but there are 400 members of the in the BTJA and the Broadcast Film Critics Association, and the show must go on — on December 11 on A&E.”
This year, the Critics’ Choice Awards moved up a month into December to position itself as one of the first awards shows of the season. It will air live December 11 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, immediately following Critics’ Choice Red Carpet Live on A&E at 7 PM ET/4 PT, from the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica. TJ Miller returns as host.
