The Golden Globe Awards are given annually, during a formal ceremony and dinner, telecast to more than 150 countries world-wide, to recognize outstanding achievements in the entertainment industry, both domestic and foreign, and to focus wide public attention upon the best in motion pictures and television. The awards have enabled the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), to donate millions of dollars to entertainment-related charities, as well as funding scholarships and other programs for future film and television professionals. The ceremony forms a major part of the film industry's "awards season", which culminates each year with the Oscars and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

The broadcast of the Golden Globe Awards generally ranks as the third most-watched awards show each year, behind only the Oscars and the Grammy Awards. Film studios solicit support from HFPA members and mention the nominations and awards in their advertisements.