What Is 1st People's Choice Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1st People's Choice Awards was held on March 13, 1975, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, honoring popular figures in film, television, and music based on public voting. It was created by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate to recognize entertainment achievements chosen by fans.

Key Facts

The 1st People's Choice Awards took place on March 13, 1975
John Wayne won Favorite Motion Picture Actor
Barbra Streisand won Favorite Female Singer
Over 100,000 ballots were mailed to U.S. households for voting
The event was broadcast on CBS in May 1975

Overview

The 1st People's Choice Awards marked a groundbreaking moment in entertainment recognition by allowing the general public to vote for their favorite stars. Held on March 13, 1975, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, it was the first major awards show to base winners solely on audience preference rather than industry panels.

Created by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, the ceremony aimed to reflect mainstream tastes in film, television, and music. Unlike the Oscars or Grammys, the People's Choice Awards emphasized popularity and cultural resonance, setting a precedent for future fan-driven accolades.

March 13, 1975 was the official date of the inaugural ceremony, establishing an annual tradition that continues today.
Over 100,000 paper ballots were distributed via mail to randomly selected U.S. households, ensuring broad public participation.
John Wayne won Favorite Motion Picture Actor, reflecting his enduring appeal among American audiences during the 1970s.
Barbra Streisand took home the award for Favorite Female Singer, highlighting her dominance in both music and film.
CBS broadcast the special in May 1975, introducing the concept of public-voted awards to a national television audience.

How It Works

The People's Choice Awards were designed to reflect the tastes of everyday Americans through a transparent and accessible voting process. Unlike peer-juried awards, this system empowered fans to directly influence the outcome, making it a true measure of popularity.

Voting Method: In 1975, winners were determined by mailed ballots sent to a statistically representative sample of U.S. households. This method ensured a broad demographic reach before online voting existed.
Categories: The inaugural event featured awards in film, television, and music, including Favorite Male and Female TV Stars and Favorite New Artist.
Eligibility Period: Nominees were selected based on work released or performed primarily between January 1 and December 31, 1974, aligning with the calendar year.
Public Balloting: The Los Angeles Times Syndicate managed the vote, receiving over 100,000 completed ballots, a significant number for the era.
Award Categories: Early categories included Favorite Motion Picture Actor, won by John Wayne, and Favorite Female Singer, claimed by Barbra Streisand.
Broadcast Delay: Though held in March, the ceremony aired on CBS in May 1975, edited into a one-hour special hosted by Dick Clark.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1st People's Choice Awards differed significantly from other major awards in format, selection process, and audience reach.

Award Show	Voting Body	First Held	Public Vote?	Network (1975)
People's Choice Awards	General Public	1975	Yes	CBS
Academy Awards (Oscars)	Academy Members	1929	No	ABC
Grammy Awards
Recording Academy	1959	No	N/A (Not televised nationally until later)
Emmy Awards	Television Academy	1949	No	NBC
Golden Globes	Hollywood Foreign Press	1944	No	None (not televised in 1975)

This comparison highlights how the People's Choice Awards stood apart by centering public opinion. While other awards relied on industry insiders, this new ceremony democratized recognition, paving the way for modern fan-voted honors like the MTV Awards and Teen Choice Awards.

Why It Matters

The 1st People's Choice Awards reshaped how success in entertainment was measured, emphasizing popularity and accessibility over critical acclaim. By giving fans a direct voice, it validated mainstream tastes and elevated artists who resonated with wide audiences.

Democratized Awards Culture: It was the first major U.S. awards show where ordinary citizens determined winners, not industry elites.
Influenced Future Awards: Inspired later fan-driven ceremonies like the MTV Video Music Awards and Teen Choice Awards.
Boosted Artist Visibility: Winners like John Wayne and Barbra Streisand gained renewed public recognition and media coverage.
Expanded Genre Inclusion: Recognized diverse talents across film, TV, and music, unlike single-medium awards.
Set a Broadcast Precedent: The CBS special proved that public-voted awards could attract strong viewership and advertising interest.
Enduring Legacy: The People's Choice Awards continue annually, with the 2023 event hosted by Simu Liu, showing lasting cultural relevance.

Today, the People's Choice Awards remain a key indicator of mainstream popularity, evolving with digital voting while maintaining their founding principle: letting the people decide.