Golden Globes president, Helen Hoehne, made an unexpected announcement to voting members during a special meeting on Friday. Moving forward, Globes members will no longer receive salaries, eliminating a controversial element of how the voting body is structured.
Hoehne met with approximately 50 voters who were members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and had signed contracts with the new corporate owners in June 2023. These contracts entitled them to a base salary of $75,000 annually for a five-year deal.
Members were informed that they would be offered a severance package of $102,500 as the Globes transitions away from paying its voters. While these members must reapply for accreditation each year, they were given the opportunity to continue voting for the next telecast in January 2026, although no payment will be provided for future shows.
This change in policy is seen as an acknowledgment that continuing to pay members could create a perception of bias in voting. The Golden Globes spokesperson mentioned that the organization is fulfilling its contractual obligations by offering the severance package. These 50 paid members represent a subset of the Globes voting body, which currently consists of 300 members from 85 countries.
Unlike other major awards events like the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys, the Golden Globes will now operate without paying its voters. This move aligns with the honor of being part of the academy being a sufficient incentive for participation.
The decision reflects the ongoing changes within the company that owns the Golden Globes, which is a joint venture between Todd Boehly and Jay Penske through Penske Media Eldridge. This company is associated with PMC, a media company that owns several prominent entertainment news outlets.
Boehly acquired the Globes from the HFPA following issues in 2021, leading to a restructuring of the organization. The HFPA’s transition to a for-profit venture resulted in changes to the voting body, with a focus on professionalizing the Golden Globes and enhancing accountability. Following these changes, the Globes saw a resurgence in viewership and secured a new five-year deal with CBS to broadcast the awards show.
Overall, the decision to stop paying voters aligns with industry standards and aims to address concerns of bias in the voting process. It marks a significant shift in how the Golden Globes operate and reflects a broader effort to enhance transparency and integrity within the organization.
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