Netflix Dominates Golden Globe Nominations, on Both the TV and Film Side

Netflix had a very good morning as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association unveiled its nominations for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. The streaming service dominated with both the TV and film categories, with 17 nominations apiece, for a total of 34 overall. The other streaming services were also well represented: Hulu and Amazon Prime Video had five nominations each, while newbie Apple TV+ broke into the field with three nominations. The 2019 Golden Globes nominees for best drama series are Big Little Lies (HBO), The Crown (Netflix), Killing Eve (BBC America), The Morning Show (Apple TV+) and Succession (HBO). Facing off as best musical or comedy series are Barry (HBO), Fleabag (Amazon Prime Video), The Kominsky Method (Netflix), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime Video) and The Politician (Netflix). The nominations for limited series or motion picture made for television are Catch-22 (Hulu), Chernobyl (HBO), Fosse/Verdon (FX), The Loudest Voice (Showtime) and Unbelievable (Netflix). Netflix received 17 TV nominations overall, and an additional 17 nominations on the film side, where it received three of the five nominations for Best Motion Picture, Drama—The Irishman, Marriage Story and The Two Popes—as well as a Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, nomination for Dolemite Is My Name. HBO followed with 15. Hulu and Amazon Prime Video tied for five each, followed by FX with four. Apple TV+ had three nominations, tied with Showtime. BBC America had two nominations, and USA Network had one. This year, the broadcast networks were completely shut out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Last year, NBC had received three Globes nominations, while CBS had one. Among TV shows, Chernobyl, The Crown and Unbelievable led the pack with four nominations each. Seven programs nabbed three nominations: Barry, Big Little Lies, Fleabag, Fosse/Verdon, The Kominsky Method, The Morning Show and Succession. As is the case every year, while many in Hollywood are debating who should have been nominated and who was snubbed, ultimately the Golden Globes don’t mean much to the industry. Most of the HFPA’s 90-some members are made up of freelancers and hangers-on who seem to be dazzled by celebrity (the Los Angeles Times once called the Globes a “con on the viewing public”). The focus on celebrities helps explain the somewhat baffling nominations for several projects that boasted big stars but were not critically acclaimed, including Apple TV+’s The Morning Show (starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon) and Hulu’s Catch-22 (directed by George Clooney). In contrast, the lauded Netflix miniseries When They See Us, which did not feature any A-listers, was shut out. However, Hollywood agrees to play along for one night each year, because the show is one of the most-watched entertainment programs annually. The 2019 telecast, hosted by Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg, drew 18.6 million viewers and a 5.2 rating among adults 18-49. Ricky Gervais will host next month’s ceremony, which will air Sunday, Jan. 5 on NBC. For a full list of the Golden Globe nominees, click here.