Full Breakdown
Golden Globes 2026: Political Podcasts Shut Out of Best Podcast Nominations
12/8/2025, 11:04:23 PM
Overview of the Nominations
The Golden Globes announced their inaugural nominations for Best Podcast on December 11, 2025, featuring six shows: *Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard*, *Call Her Daddy*, *Good Hang With Amy Poehler*, *The Mel Robbins Podcast*, *SmartLess*, and *Up First*. Notably absent from the nominations was *The Joe Rogan Experience*, the most popular podcast of 2025, along with all overtly political podcasts. This decision has sparked discussions about the selection criteria and the representation of political content in the podcasting landscape.
The Exclusion of Political Content
Despite the presence of several conservative and liberal podcasts in the original shortlist of 25, including *The Megyn Kelly Show*, *The Tucker Carlson Show*, *Candace* (hosted by Candace Owens), and *Pod Save America*, none received nominations. Ben Shapiro, who actively campaigned for a nomination with billboards in Times Square, was also left out. The only news-driven podcast nominated was NPR's *Up First*, while other popular genres, such as true crime, were similarly excluded.
Industry Reactions
Dax Shepard and his *Armchair Expert* co-host Monica Padman expressed their honor at being included in the nominations, highlighting the significance of this recognition for the podcast medium. Mel Robbins, whose podcast was nominated, reflected on her journey, stating, “It is never too late to change your life,” emphasizing the transformative power of podcasting.
The Role of Major Platforms
The nominations showcased a strong presence from SiriusXM, which produced three of the nominated shows, while Spotify, Amazon, and NPR contributed the remaining titles. This distribution indicates a growing trend where major platforms are increasingly influential in shaping the podcasting landscape.
Official Statements & Responses
Helen Hoehne, president of the Golden Globes, remarked that the original list of 25 podcasts compiled by Luminate reflects the “depth, diversity, and creativity thriving in the podcasting world today.” She expressed pride in being the first major entertainment award to recognize the podcast medium.
Criticism & Opposition
The exclusion of popular political podcasts has drawn criticism from various quarters. Critics argue that the decision reflects a bias against political content, which could alienate a significant portion of the podcast audience. The absence of *The Joe Rogan Experience*, in particular, raises questions about the criteria used for nominations and whether the awards are truly representative of the podcasting community.
What's Next
The 2026 Golden Globes ceremony, hosted by Nikki Glaser, is scheduled to air live on January 11, 2026. As the event approaches, discussions surrounding the nominations and the representation of political content in podcasting are likely to continue, influencing future awards and industry standards.
