Testimony ends in trial over Globes broadcast deal

By Anthony Mccartney

Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, Feb. 7 2012 6:30 p.m. MST

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2009 file photo, celebrities arrive at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. Testimony has ended in a trial that will decide the broadcast rights of the Golden Globes award with a federal judge strongly urging both sides to settle before a ruling is necessary. U.S. District Judge A. Howard Matz warned attorneys for the Globes' organizers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and its longtime producers that he would declare a clear winner. He said the parties should try to resolve the case to prevent the Globes being tangled up in court for another awards season.

Matt Sayles, File, Associated Press

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Summary

Testimony has ended in a trial that will decide the broadcast rights of the Golden Globe Awards, and a federal judge is strongly urging both sides to settle before a ruling is necessary.

LOS ANGELES — Testimony has ended in a trial that will decide the broadcast rights of the Golden Globe Awards, and a federal judge is strongly urging both sides to settle before a ruling is necessary.

U.S. District Judge A. Howard Matz warned attorneys for the Globes' organizers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and its longtime producers that he would declare a clear winner. That could result in the Globes being tangled up in an appeal for another awards season.

At issue is a disputed $150 million deal. If it's upheld, the Globes will stay on NBC through 2018.

The association claims the deal was improperly negotiated. But producers claim they were entitled to make the deal and they can work on the show as long as it airs on NBC.

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