A&E Snags Critics' Choice Awards Rights

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

A&E Network will exclusively air the Critics' Choice Movie Awards and the Critics’ Choice Television Awards over the next two years.

A&E has partnered with the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) to air the annual awards.  First up on the network is 20th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, which will air on A&E Jan. 15.

“Our new partnership will help establish The Critics’ Choice Awards as one of the most coveted awards by celebrating the best talent achievements in the entertainment industry with two of the most respected institutions in Hollywood,” said David McKillop, executive vice president and general manager of A&E. “These bi-annual live tent-pole events will be key highlights of the movie and television awards seasons for A&E viewers.”

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.