Full Breakdown
2026 Ambies Awards Celebrate Excellence in Podcasting
2/25/2026, 11:39:11 AM
Major Winners at the Ambies
The 2026 Ambies Awards, held at the Arlo Williamsburg in Brooklyn, recognized outstanding achievements in podcasting. The event, hosted by comedian Wyatt Cenac, awarded the top honor of Podcast of the Year to "Wisecrack," a true-crime series produced by Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts. The podcast, which features UK comedian Edd Hedges and journalist Jodi Tovay, explores a real murder case intertwined with Hedges' standup narrative. "Wisecrack" garnered four awards in total, including Best Society and Culture Podcast, and Best Production and Sound Design.
Pablo Torre, host of "Pablo Torre Finds Out," was named Vanguard Podcaster of the Year and his show also won Best Sports Podcast. Other notable winners included "Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend" for Best Comedy Podcast and "Death, Sex & Money" for Best Interview Podcast.
Background on the Ambies
The Ambies, administered by The Podcast Academy, celebrate excellence in audio content across various categories. This year’s ceremony was part of the On Air Fest, which highlights innovative audio storytelling. The event was rescheduled due to inclement weather, showcasing the resilience of the podcasting community.
Notable Categories and Winners
In addition to the major awards, several other categories were recognized:
- Best Branded Podcast: "Sesame Street: Cookie Monster Mysteries" (Audible Studios, Sesame Workshop)
- Best Documentary Podcast: "The Con: Kaitlyn’s Baby" (CBC, BBC World Service)
- Best Emerging Podcast: "How Is This Better?" (COURIER Newsroom)
- Best Podcast for Kids: "Terrestrials" (WNYC Studios)
The awards also honored Kara Swisher with the Governors Award for her contributions to the podcasting industry, while the late Reggie Ossé received the Impact Award, accepted by his wife, Akim Vann.
Criticism & Opposition
While the Ambies celebrate achievements in podcasting, some critics argue that the awards may not fully represent the diversity of voices in the industry. Concerns have been raised about the predominance of established names and brands overshadowing emerging creators.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There were no significant discrepancies reported regarding the winners or categories at this year’s Ambies. However, the absence of certain independent podcasts from the nominations has sparked discussions about representation in the awards.
Verbatim Quotes
- “What starts as a heartwarming homecoming quickly spirals into a chilling true crime tale of a downward spiral and a town shaken by murder.” — iHeartPodcasts description of "Wisecrack."
The 2026 Ambies highlighted the evolving landscape of podcasting, celebrating both established and emerging voices in the industry.
