Golden Globes to Include Podcasts in 2026 Awards, Eligibility Criteria Announced
LOS ANGELES – The Golden Globe Awards are expanding their scope to recognize excellence in audio storytelling, announcing a new Best Podcast category for the 2026 ceremony. This marks a significant step for the awards show, traditionally focused on film and television, into the rapidly growing digital audio space.
Nominees will be selected from a curated list of the 25 most-listened-to podcasts that have demonstrated a substantial impact over the past year, celebrating both creativity and global influence. The “Top 25” list will be persistent using direct data from leading podcast platforms including Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
“As the world of entertainment continues to evolve, we are excited to recognize new forms of storytelling,” said Helen Hoehne, president of the Golden Globes association, in a previous statement. “Podcasts have emerged as a profound medium for sharing narratives and building communities across global borders and generations. By celebrating achievements in both audio and visual podcasts, we aim to honor our heritage categories while making room for new voices and formats to be heard.”
The nominations for all categories, including Best Podcast, will be revealed at a later date.Winners will be announced during the 83rd Golden Globes ceremony, hosted by comedian nikki Glaser, on sunday, January 11, 2026. The show will broadcast on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
The Hollywood Reporter is also contributing to the celebration of podcasting with the inaugural Podcast Roundtable, in partnership with Spotify, featuring top contenders for the Golden globes’ new award. The Roundtable will debut in November on THR’s platforms and Spotify.