T.J. MILLER TO HOST THE STAR-STUDDED "21ST ANNUAL CRITICS' CHOICE AWARDS" BROADCAST LIVE ON A&E, LIFETIME AND LMN ON JANUARY 17TH AT 8PM ET/5PM PT

New York, NY - December 11, 2015 -Actor and comedian T.J. Miller will host "The 21st Annual Critics' Choice Awards," it was announced today by Elaine Frontain Bryant, Executive Vice President of Programming for A&E, and Joey Berlin, BFCA/BTJA President. A+E Networks, home of "The Critics' Choice Television Awards" and "The Critics' Choice Movie Awards" for the past year, will combine the two shows into one star-studded three-hour event. The show will be broadcast from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on A&E, Lifetime and LMN on Sunday, January 17 at 8PM ET/5PM PT immediately following "Critics' Choice Red Carpet Live" on A&E at 7PM ET/4PT.

"We are thrilled to have T.J. join us as host of this exciting night," said Frontain Bryant. "His quick wit and unique sense of humor serve as the perfect paring as we celebrate the best of television and film together for the first time."

T.J. Miller stars in HBO's Emmy and Critics' Choice Award-winning series "Silicon Valley," which is currently filming its third season. The series not only took home the award for "Best Comedy Series" at last year's Critics' Choice Television Awards but T.J. also received the award for "Best Supporting Actor." He will star opposite Ryan Reynolds in the upcoming Marvel feature "Deadpool" and his voice can be heard on the big screen in the Academy Award winning "Big Hero 6" and the Golden Globe winning "How to Train Your Dragon 2." Prior to this, T.J. has appeared in a number of major studio films including "Transformers 4," "Cloverfield," "She's Out of My League," "Seeking for a Friend for End of the World," "Our Idiot Brother," "Yogi Bear 3D," "Unstoppable," and "Get Him to the Greek." He is currently writing "Ex-Criminals" for Dreamworks as a starring vehicle for himself.

T.J. is a nationally touring stand-up comedian, boasting an hour long Comedy Central stand-up special titled "T.J. Miller: No Real Reason." He has released the hip-hop/pop/folk music album "The Extended Play E.P." and hosts the weekly podcast "Cashing in with T.J. Miller" on nerdist.com. He was also named one of Variety's "Top 10 Comics to Watch," and Entertainment Weekly's "Next Big Things in Comedy."

"We are so excited with the new direction that this year's show is taking, combining the film and television awards," said BFCA/BTJA's Berlin. "We are confident that T.J.'s infectious energy will help carry that excitement not only in the room, but also to viewers watching at home."

A&E Networks partnered with the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) to become the exclusive home to the 2015 " Critics' Choice Movie Awards" and " Critics' Choice Television Awards." That partnership continues in 2016, with the newly formatted three-hour ceremony that brings together both sets of accolades, and for years to come.

Nominations for the 21st Annual Critics' Choice Awards will be announced on Monday, December 14, 2015 at 10AM ET/7AM PT.

"The Critics' Choice Awards" are bestowed annually by the BFCA and BTJA to honor the finest in cinematic and television achievement. The BFCA is the largest film critics' organization in the United States and Canada, representing more than 300 television, radio and online critics. BFCA members are the primary source of information for today's film-going public. BTJA is the collective voice of almost 100 journalists who regularly cover television for TV viewers, radio listeners and online audiences. Historically, the "Critics' Choice Awards" are the most accurate predictor of the Academy Award nominations.

"The 21st Annual Critics' Choice Awards" will be produced by Bob Bain Productions and Berlin Entertainment. BFCA/BTJA are represented by WME and Dan Black of Greenberg Traurig.

About BFCA/BTJA

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) is the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada, representing more than 300 television, radio and online critics. The Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) is a partner organization to the BFCA and includes TV, radio and Internet journalists who cover television on a regular basis. For more information, visit: www.CriticsChoice.com

About A&E

Now reaching more than 96 million homes, A&E is the home to quality original content that inspires and challenges audiences to BE ORIGINAL. A&E offers a diverse mix of uniquely immersive entertainment ranging from the network's original scripted series, including "Bates Motel" and "Damien" to signature non-fiction franchises, including "Duck Dynasty," "Wahlburgers" and "Storage Wars." The A&E website is located at aetv.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aetv and Facebook at facebook.com/AETV.

Follow the 21st Annual Critics' Choice Awards on Twitter and Instagram @CriticsChoice and on Facebook/CriticsChoiceAwards.