Television Critics Association Cancels Summer Press Tour

Summer Press Tour has been canceled this year.

The Television Critics Association let its membership know today about the fate of the traditional gathering in July and August. In an email, TCA brass said the networks and streamers “told us they could not afford the cost of tour.”

“The systems that once supported tour, in Hollywood and journalism, have changed,” the TCA email read. “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.”

It remains unclear whether we’ll ever see a return of the summer event that allows outlets from all over the nation to access talent from new and returning shows. In the meantime, streamers and even some of the broadcast networks have launched their own press events.

TCA says it’s “exploring ways to connect our members exclusively with talent and executives of new and returning shows, plus set visits and other reporting opportunities.”