Critics' Choice Television Awards

Critics' Choice Television Awards. The Critics' Choice Television Awards are accolades presented annually by the Critics Choice Association (CCA) to honor outstanding achievement in television programming. Initially established as a standalone event, the television honors were later merged with the association's long-running film awards to create a unified ceremony celebrating both cinematic and small-screen excellence. The awards are noted for their broad voting body of hundreds of television critics and journalists, positioning them as a significant bellwether for the Primetime Emmy Awards.

History

The awards were first presented in 2011, created by the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA), an organization of journalists covering television. The inaugural ceremony was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel and was hosted by Cat Deeley and Kristin Chenoweth. In 2019, following the merger of the BTJA with the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), the overseeing body was renamed the Critics Choice Association. This merger led to the combination of the television and film awards beginning with the 25th Critics' Choice Awards in 2020, which honored achievements for both the 2019 film year and the 2019 television season. The combined event is typically held in Santa Monica, California or Los Angeles, and has been broadcast on The CW and TBS.

Categories

The awards feature a wide array of categories spanning genres and formats, including honors for series, acting, and behind-the-scenes work. Major competitive categories include Best Drama Series, Best Comedy Series, Best Actor in a Drama Series, and Best Actress in a Comedy Series. The ceremony also presents special awards such as the Critics' Choice Award for Lifetime Achievement and the Critics' Choice Award for Most Exciting New Series. In response to the evolving television landscape, categories have been added over time, including recognition for Best Limited Series and Best Talk Show. The Critics' Choice Super Awards, launched in 2021, further honor genre programming in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and superhero media.

Ceremonies

Each ceremony is a major event in the Hollywood awards season, typically held in January. The combined galas are produced by Bob Bain Productions and feature a host; notable hosts have included Taye Diggs and Chelsea Handler. The presentation of awards often includes appearances by prominent figures from Netflix, HBO, and ABC. The 70th Critics' Choice Awards in 2024, for instance, was hosted by Chelsea Handler at the Barker Hangar and saw major wins for *The Bear* and *Beef*. The ceremonies are frequently attended by stars from shows like *Succession* and *The Crown*.

Records and statistics

HBO holds the record for the most network wins, largely driven by the success of series like Game of Thrones and *Succession*. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is the most awarded performer, with multiple wins for her role in Veep. The series Breaking Bad and Fleabag are among the most honored programs in the drama and comedy categories, respectively. In a single ceremony, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel once won six awards, a record for a comedy series. The Television Academy often sees significant overlap between winners here and eventual Primetime Emmy Awards victors.

Reception and impact

The awards are widely covered by media outlets such as *Variety*, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline Hollywood, and are considered a influential precursor to the Emmy Awards. The voting body's size and composition of working critics is seen as providing a distinct perspective compared to industry-focused groups like the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which presents the Golden Globe Awards. The merger with the film awards has elevated the ceremony's profile, creating a major televised event that rivals the Screen Actors Guild Awards in the winter awards calendar. The association's expansion into the Critics' Choice Super Awards demonstrates its adaptive response to audience and industry trends.

Category:American television awards Category:Critics' Choice Awards Category:2011 establishments in the United States