The Television Critics Association (TCA) has canceled its traditional Summer Press Tour, which was set to take place in July and August. The announcement was made to TCA members via an email on Wednesday. According to the email, the decision was made after much discussion and negotiation.
The TCA Board had conversations about organizing the summer tour since the summer of 2024. They contacted every network, studio, and streaming platform about presenting and met with all of them in February. In early March, the TCA had commitments for six days of presentations.
However, most of those networks later told the TCA that the tour was not financially viable for them. Other networks, streaming services, and industry organizations also expressed interest in participating but ultimately said they could not afford the cost. The email stated, “The systems that once supported the tour, in Hollywood and journalism, have changed.
Budget forces summer tour cancelation
Networks have consolidated into just a few companies and cut publicity staff. There are considerable costs for those presenting panels — the hotel and AV are expensive for the networks.
The TCA Board reduced some of those costs by half, but that was not enough.”
The TCA Awards will still take place, though they will be “reimagined.” The awards are typically a fairly glitzy affair, providing an opportunity for critics and reporters to dress up and hand out trophies. Voting for the awards is scheduled to continue in June as planned. The TCA is exploring ways to connect its members with talent and executives of new and returning shows, as well as set visits and other reporting opportunities.
A Zoom meeting with members is planned to discuss the current status of the organization and its future plans. The cancellation of the Summer Press Tour follows the absence of the January/February installment earlier this year, which was also scrapped for financial reasons. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Hollywood strikes of 2023 have also contributed to the irregular scheduling of the event in recent years.
The TCA Summer Press Tour has historically been a key event for television journalists seeking direct access to key players in the TV industry. Its cancellation marks a significant shift in how television content might be promoted in the future.
