The Golden Globe Awards will introduce a new TV special achievement trophy at next month's telecast and name it after its first recipient — comedic icon Carol Burnett.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association said Tuesday the Carol Burnett Award — the small-screen version of the group's film counterpart, the Cecil B. DeMille Award — will annually honour someone "who has made outstanding contributions to television on or off the screen."

The first Carol Burnett Award will, fittingly, go to Burnett, a five-time Golden Globe winner who was the first woman to host a variety sketch show, The Carol Burnett Show.

In a statement, association President Meher Tatna said: "We are profoundly grateful for her contributions to the entertainment industry and honoured to celebrate her legacy forever at the Golden Globes."

Comedy trailblazer Burnett received a lifetime achievement honour from the Screen Actors Guild two years ago.