The Golden Globes Podcast has taken a bold step into the world of audio storytelling. For the 83rd Golden Globes in 2026, the organization is adding a new Best PodcPodcast categoryast category — the first time the Globes will formally honor podcast creators.
This announcement marks a recognition that podcasts are no longer niche — they’re an essential form of entertainment, journalism, and storytelling. Below is everything current about how this category works, who’s in the race, and what reactions it’s stirring in the podcasting world.
How It Works: From Top 25 to Final Nominees
To determine eligibility for the new category, the Golden Globes has already revealed a list of 25 podcasts that meet the preliminary criteria. These selections were identified using data from Luminate, a prominent analytics firm in audio metrics.
From this pool of 25, just six finalists will be chosen as official nominees for the award. Once nominees are confirmed, the winner will be revealed at the awards ceremony on January 11, 2026.
The podcasts on the list encompass a diverse range of genres, including true crime, political commentary, entertainment, and journalism. Some examples:
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Top 25 to Final Nominees:
- 20/20 (from ABC News)
- 48 Hours (from CBS News)
- Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
- Call Her Daddy
- Candace
- Crime Junkie
- Dateline NBC
- Good Hang with Amy Poehler
- Morbid
- MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
- Pardon My Take
- Pod Save America
- Rotten Mango
- Shawn Ryan Show
- SmartLess
- Stuff You Should Know
- The Ben Shapiro Show
- The Bill Simmons Podcast
- The Daily (from The New York Times)
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- The Megyn Kelly Show
- The Mel Robbins Podcast
- The Tucker Carlson Show
- This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
- Up First from NPR
The full list of 25 is diverse, spanning formats like news digest (Up First), narrative storytelling (Morbid, MrBallen), journalistic reporting (The Daily), and more.
Podcasts that make the 25-podcast list are invited to submit entries formally by October 31, 2025.
Why This Matters (and Why Some Are Skeptical)
A Milestone for Podcasting
Adding a Best Podcast category to such an established awards show further legitimizes the medium. It sends a signal: podcasts are no longer just side projects or niche formats — they compete for awards alongside film and TV.
Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne emphasized this evolution, saying podcasts are “a profound medium for sharing narratives and building communities across global borders and generations.”
Also notable: this move gives audio creators a stronger platform and potentially attracts more investment, partnerships, and audience discovery. Many podcasters see it as validating.
The Backlash & Concerns
But not everyone is applauding. Some industry insiders question the transparency and fairness of this new category. A key point of criticism is the use of Luminate data, particularly because Luminate is owned by Penske Media, which also owns media outlets heavily involved in Hollywood coverage. This raises conflict-of-interest concerns.
Critics argue the system might favor high-traffic or controversial shows over genuinely high-quality ones. There’s also the worry that this will encourage “clickbait content” aimed at winning awards rather than serving audiences.
One industry voice called it “a racket,” pointing at how the top 25 are selected and how limited media access is being restricted to focus on the parent company’s own platforms.
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Key Takeaways & What to Watch
- This is historic: The Golden Globes become one of the first major awards shows to formally acknowledge podcasting.
- Six finalists will be chosen from the 25 eligible podcasts, with the winner announced in January 2026.
- Criteria transparency is still pending; details of how the top 25 were chosen and how finalists will be selected are being closely watched by creators.
- Watch for debates over fairness, influence, and how this move reshapes expectations in podcasting.
In many ways, this marks a turning point — a moment when the podcasting medium ventures fully into the spotlight of mainstream awards shows.
Whether it changes the game or invites controversy, it’s sure to drive new conversations about creativity, standards, and recognition in audio.
