The National Association of Television Program Executives said it plans to file to restructure its business with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court under Chapter 11.

The organization said that its financial reserves were drained because its revenue-generating events were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As late as 2022, NATPE said it was forced to shut down its flagship conference, which had been scheduled as an in-person event in Miami in January. The cancellation came on relatively short notice, and NATPE ended its long run at the venue's location after that.

NATPE managed to hold its first event in June, an in-person marketplace in Budapest and has announced that its annual January conference is moving from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas.

“NATPE is looking at all possible options to restructure, including raising funds through strategic alliances, and continue to operate NATPE as a more streamlined and reorganized operation,” the organization said in a statement. “For almost 60 years, NATPE has been the leading global professional association for content producers, distributors, developers, streamers and buyers across all distribution platforms. NATPE is optimistic that it will emerge from the reorganization process in the same position.” ■

NATPE said Saturday (January 8) it has canceled the upcoming NATPE Miami Conference and Marketplace, slated for January 18-20, after weighing health and safety concerns and the experience of an event that would no doubt have diminished attendance amid the latest nationwide surge of COVID-19. 

The National Association of Television Program Executives will look to smaller virtual and possibly (where appropriate) in-person events in 2022 at no charge to attend, NATPE CEO JP Bommel said in a statement. 

While the CES consumer electronics convention went ahead as an in-person event this past week, with extra safety measures and much smaller than usual attendance, other conventions and awards shows have succumbed to the reality of rising COVID-19 cases and travel difficulties and canceled in-person gatherings. TV shows have had to cancel or reschedule production after hosts tested positive, and sports leagues including the NHL have had to call off games or limit attendance.

Also: Golden Globe Awards Ceremony Won't Be Livestreamed 

NATPE Miami typically is a smorgasbord of content-focused panels and keynotes, an awards platform and a marketplace for buying and selling TV shows, including a strong international focus.  

“Although this decision from a financial point of view will cost the organization a great deal of money, that was secondary to our primary concern, which is to put the welfare of our members first," Bommel said in a statement. "We put a great deal of safety protocols in place, but it is just not enough given the intensity of this virus which is spreading at an enormous rate all over the world. We look forward to producing a strong conference at the right time and under the best circumstances, and to provide all our attendees with the greatest value we can offer.”

NATPE Miami went virtual in 2021 when COVID-19 was raging, that decision being taken in October 2020. ■

NATPE has named the 2022 Iris Award honorees, ahead of a luncheon event (in-person) at NATPE Miami on Wednesday, Jan. 19. They are:

Lew Klein Award for Leadership: Valari Dobson Staab, President, NBCUniversal Local.

NATPE Chairman Award for Lifetime Achievement: Emerson Coleman, Senior Vice President, Programming, Hearst Television.

Award for Excellence, Global Content and Branding: Wolf Entertainment (the iconic creators of the Law & Order, Chicago and FBI brands).

Award for Excellence, Television Performer: Tamron Hall (Host and Executive Producer of the Tamron Hall show, produced by ABC News and syndicated by Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution).

NATPE Enterprise Award: Alex Paen, Founder & President, Telco Productions, Inc.

Award for Excellence, Television Program, Special or Series: Inside Edition (syndicated newsmagazine, produced and distributed by CBS Media Ventures).

NATPE’s Iris Awards were created to recognize best-in-class executives, program producers, creators, talent and content that makes a significant impact on the industry and our culture.

The awards luncheon will take place as part of NATPE’s Station Group Summit, within the overall NATPE Miami event. Session programming for the Station Group Summit, including keynotes from leaders in the industry, will be released in the coming month. Hosted by Soledad O’Brien (journalist and CEO of Soledad O’Brien Productions), the luncheon event will cap off a full slate of programming dedicated to the most pressing topics concerning the station group community.

Also: NATPE Miami Event Will Be In Person 

Also in attendance to present, or accept the awards will be Deborah Norville (Inside Edition), Zeeko Zaki (FBI) and Elliot Wolf (EVP digital for Wolf Entertainment). More presenters will be confirmed soon, NATPE said.

NATPE CEO JP Bommel said in a release: “The Station Group community is an essential part of NATPE and as we continue to have important conversations about the shifts happening in the local content industry, it is essential that we  spotlight the leaders of broadcast and syndicated television. The extraordinary talent and influential content and companies recognized at the IRIS Awards this year are indicative of the vibrant event we expect from the Station Group Summit overall.” ■

After holding its annual trade show event virtually earlier this year, the National Association of Television Program Executives said it will hold its next conference in-person Jan. 18-20 in Miami.

The organization said a list of speakers and an event schedule will be announced soon. 

NATPE said the Miami event will follow the highest standards and COVID-related protocols to keep exhibitors, buyers, sponsors, honorees, partners and all attendees safe, including: mandatory proof of vaccination for all attendees, outdoor tents for select sessions and meetings, and designated NATPE Safe zones fully controlled by the event production team. More information on NATPE Safe protocols is available here. 

“We are thrilled to see our exhibitors, sponsors coming back to Miami and to be welcoming new partners as we are ready to be the new year’s first major platform for the business of content as the industry continues to evolve globally,” NATPE president and CEO JP Bommel said in a statement. “All of us at NATPE are hard at work building a strong program focusing on new business, new markets, and financing. But most importantly, we look forward to NATPE Miami as a time to celebrate our return in person for what is sure to be a productive and educational week in the content industry.”

The National Association of Television Program Executives has named the recipients for the 2021 Iris Awards. Penn & Teller will host the award ceremony at NATPE Virtual Miami on Thursday, Jan. 21, at 1 p.m. ET. 

The Iris Award honorees are: Kelly Clarkson, entertainer and host of The Kelly Clarkson Show, will receive the award for excellence, television performer; Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb will receive the Lew Klein Leadership Award; Entertainment Tonight host Kevin Frazier will be honored for career achievement; and Entertainment Tonight will be feted with the award for excellence, television program, special or series.

NATPE’s Iris Awards were created to recognize best-in-class executives, program producers, creators, talent and content that makes a significant impact on the broadcasting industry and its culture. 

Also Read: NATPE Slates Virtual Miami Conference in January

JP Bommel, the CEO of NATPE, said in a release: “I am thrilled to announce that the iconic IRIS Awards are back for the 2nd year during NATPE Virtual Miami 2021. In these extraordinary times, this year’s recipients represent the best in Television locally, nationally and globally with franchises that expand around the Globe”

The conference portion of NATPE Miami Virtual will take place Jan. 19-22, with the Marketplace open from Jan. 19-29. More information is available at www.natpe.com/miami/agenda.

NATPE is launching a broad new initiative to embrace the MVPD ecosystem, which will continue throughout 2021 and beyond. In addition to forming a soon to be named MVPD committee and conducting special MVPD-focused keynotes and sessions during the NATPE Virtual Miami conference on Jan. 19-21, there is a kickoff event planned for Dec. 15.

“Content Distribution on a Global Scale: MVPDs and the Worldwide Content Market” will take a look at where "the industry's global MVPD content sector is going." Moderated by Horowitz Research president Howard Horowitz, the session will feature comments and insights from Verizon Consumer Group chief content officer Erin McPherson, Liberty Latin America VP chief programming officer Stephane David, and Virgin Media, Liberty Global head of programming, David Bouchier.

Related: NATPE Slates Virtual Miami Confab in January

“Our goal at NATPE is to continue to advance the content conversation," NATPE CEO and president JP Bommel said in a statement. "While evolving rapidly, the relationship between content producers, rights-holders, and networks with MVPD buyers is more important today than ever. MVPDs remain a key conduit for delivering content to homes and screens everywhere.”

NATPE MVPD committee and COO of TV5 USA Patrice Courtaban added: “TV5MONDE is pleased to support NATPE in launching this new MVPD initiative and hosting this exciting first event. With the executives in charge of content acquisition for three global MVPDs, Erin, Stephanie and David, fielding Howard’s probing questions, I anticipate a very lively and informative discussion that provides a wide range of strategic insights.”

NATPE is taking its annual Miami, Florida, conference online in January 2021, due to ongoing limits on in-person gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Miami conference will take place Jan. 19-22, and the marketplace associated with it will be held Jan. 19-29. NATPE's January 2020 Miami conference, before the pandemic hit, was an in-person affair but the NATPE Streaming Plus and NATPE Budapest International conferences this year were held virtually.

NATPE also scheduled a new virtual conference, NATPE Segregation, Segmentation & Storytelling for Feb. 16. It's intended to explore the business of Black TV, the association said, including talent, perspectives and voices in TV programming. 

Other new virtual conferences are on tap: NATPE Sports is set for March 23 and NATPE News is scheduled for April 7. More information is at natpe.com.