Full Breakdown
Golden Globes Introduces Inaugural Best Podcast Award for 2026 Ceremony
10/3/2025, 7:13:26 AM
Overview of the New Award Category
The Golden Globe Awards have announced the introduction of a Best Podcast category for the 83rd ceremony, scheduled for January 11, 2026. This marks a significant expansion of the awards, which have traditionally focused on film and television, now recognizing the growing influence of podcasts as a storytelling medium. The list of 25 eligible podcasts has been revealed, showcasing a diverse array of popular titles that have made a substantial impact over the past year.
Eligible Podcasts
The 25 podcasts eligible for nomination include notable titles such as:
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- Call Her Daddy
- Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
- The Megyn Kelly Show
- The Ben Shapiro Show
- Pardon My Take
- Good Hang with Amy Poehler
- The Daily (from The New York Times)
- This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Other contenders include Crime Junkie, Dateline NBC, Rotten Mango, and Up First from NPR, among others. The selection was determined by Luminate, which assesses podcasts based on audience reach, engagement, and revenue.
Significance of the Award
Helen Hoehne, president of the Golden Globe Awards, emphasized the importance of this new category, stating, “This year’s inaugural list of eligible programs reflects the incredible depth, diversity, and creativity thriving in the podcasting world today.” The recognition of podcasts aims to honor the medium's ability to inform, entertain, and inspire audiences globally.
Nomination Process
Podcasts that meet the eligibility criteria are invited to submit their entries for consideration until October 31, 2025. From these submissions, six nominees will be selected by Golden Globe voters. The nominations for all categories will be announced on December 8, 2025.
Broader Implications
The addition of the Best Podcast category is seen as a response to the evolving landscape of entertainment, where audio storytelling has gained prominence. While the Golden Globes will be the first major awards show to include a podcast category, other awards like the Webby Awards and the Ambies have previously recognized podcasts.
Official Statements & Responses
The Golden Globes organization has expressed excitement about this new venture into the podcasting realm. Helen Hoehne remarked, “As the world of entertainment continues to evolve, we are excited to recognize new forms of storytelling.” This initiative aims to celebrate the creativity and influence of podcast creators worldwide.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Podcasts have emerged as a profound medium for sharing narratives and building communities across global borders and generations.” — Helen Hoehne, President of the Golden Globe Awards
- “This year’s inaugural list of eligible programs for the new Best Podcast eligibility list reflects the incredible depth, diversity and creativity thriving in the podcasting world today,” — Helen Hoehne, President of the Golden Globe Awards
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards will be hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser and will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ and Showtime.
