Every January, as Hollywood's awards season kicks into high gear, millions of viewers tune in to watch the Golden Globes ceremony, wondering how the winners are actually chosen. While the red carpet glamour and surprise victories capture headlines, the real story happens months before the ceremony through a carefully structured voting process involving hundreds of international journalists. Unlike other major awards, the Golden Globes operate on a unique system that blends film and television recognition, making their selection process both distinctive and closely watched in the entertainment industry.
The People Behind the Votes: Who Selects Golden Globe Winners?
Golden Globe winners are chosen by an independent body of approximately 300 international entertainment journalists based in the United States. These voters represent media organizations from dozens of countries worldwide, offering a truly global perspective on Hollywood's film and television output. In recent years, the voting body has expanded significantly as part of reforms aimed at increasing diversity, transparency, and global representation within the awards process.
To become a Golden Globe voter, one must be an experienced international entertainment journalist working for a recognized media organization, which can include newspapers, magazines, radio stations, broadcast networks, photo services, or digital platforms. Personal blogs, social media profiles, and review sites do not qualify. Accepted voters must adhere to a strict code of conduct, a conflict of interest policy, and a gift ban policy that prohibits accepting any gifts or promotional items from studios, networks, streamers, agencies, or publicists.
From Ballots to Trophies: The Two-Stage Voting Process
The Golden Globes use a straightforward but effective two-stage voting system that determines both nominees and winners. The process begins with nomination voting, where all eligible voters submit ballots to determine the contenders in each of the 28 categories. Once nominations are announced in December, members participate in final voting to select the actual winners.
Each voter casts their ballot independently, and the nominee with the most votes in a category wins. There is no ranked-choice or weighted voting system—the outcome is determined by simple majority. In case of a tie, the winner is the one that received the most votes on the nomination ballot. This transparent process ensures that every vote counts equally and that the results genuinely reflect the preferences of the voting body.
What Makes Golden Globes Voting Unique: Film and Television Combined
One of the most distinctive features of the Golden Globes is that voters evaluate achievements in both film and television. This dual focus sets the awards apart from other major ceremonies that typically specialize in one medium or the other. Eligible content includes feature films released during the calendar year, television series that premiered or aired within the eligibility window, and individual performances by actors, directors, writers, and creators.
Studios and networks facilitate informed voting by providing official screeners, hosting screenings, and organizing moderated Q&A sessions with cast and crew members. This ensures that every voter has access to the full range of eligible works before submitting their ballots. The combination of film and television recognition creates a unique awards show that captures the breadth of contemporary entertainment.
The Evolution of Golden Globes Voting: From HFPA to Modern Reforms
The Golden Globe Awards were established in 1944 by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), a group of Los Angeles-based foreign journalists seeking to develop a better-organized process of gathering and distributing cinema news to non-U.S. markets. For decades, the HFPA managed the voting process, but the organization faced increasing criticism over aspects of its operations, including a lack of diversity in its membership.
In 2022, amid boycotts and calls for reform, the Golden Globes underwent significant restructuring. The awards were reformed as a for-profit entity under Eldridge Industries (the parent company of Dick Clark Productions), while a new non-profit Golden Globe Foundation was created to continue philanthropic activities. The voting body expanded from approximately 90 members to around 300, with increased emphasis on diversity, transparency, and global representation. Today, the Golden Globes are owned by Penske Media Eldridge and produced by Dick Clark Productions.
The 2026 Golden Globes: Current Ceremony Details and Updates
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards ceremony is scheduled for January 12, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. The event will air live on the CBS network and stream on Paramount+ at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. This year's ceremony marks the second consecutive year that comedian and actor Nikki Glaser will host, making history as the first woman to host the Golden Globes solo when she first took the role in 2025.
This year's nominees include high-profile names like Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Emma Stone, setting the stage for a competitive and closely watched night. The ceremony continues to feature 28 categories recognizing motion picture and television performances, including the recently added Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television, and Best Podcast categories.
The Golden Globe Trophy: More Than Just Gold
The iconic Golden Globe trophy represents the culmination of the entire voting process. Each trophy is crafted from zinc alloy, brass, and acrylic, with metals built up in the plating process using nickel, copper, silver, and 24K gold. Weighing 7.85 pounds and standing 12.77 inches tall, the trophy features a representation of the globe encircled with a film strip sitting atop a cylindrical base inscribed with "Golden Globe Awards." Each trophy includes a custom-coded NFC chip guaranteeing authenticity, while honorary awards like the Cecil B. DeMille and Carol Burnett awards feature specially sourced marble bases.
Looking Forward: The Future of Golden Globes Voting
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, so too does the Golden Globes voting process. The expansion of the voting body to approximately 300 members represents just one step in ongoing efforts to make the awards more inclusive and representative of global entertainment perspectives. Future reforms may include further diversification of the voter pool, enhanced transparency measures, and adjustments to eligibility criteria as streaming platforms and new content formats continue to reshape the media landscape.
The Golden Globes' unique position as a ceremony that honors both film and television achievements positions it well to adapt to changing industry dynamics. As international content gains greater prominence in global entertainment, the awards' foundation in international journalism provides a natural advantage in evaluating and recognizing excellence across borders and formats.
Key Takeaways: Understanding How Golden Globe Winners Are Chosen
The Golden Globes selection process combines international perspective with straightforward voting mechanics. Approximately 300 entertainment journalists from around the world participate in a two-stage voting system that first determines nominees and then selects winners through majority voting. Unlike other major awards, the Golden Globes uniquely honor both film and television achievements, with voters evaluating content from both mediums. Recent reforms have expanded and diversified the voting body, while maintaining the awards' commitment to recognizing excellence in global entertainment. From the initial nomination ballots to the final trophy presentation, every step of the process reflects the Golden Globes' distinctive approach to celebrating the best in film and television.
