The world of audio storytelling is set for major recognition as the Golden Globes announced the addition of an award for Best Podcast in this year’s nominations. The Globes will be among the first major televised awards to recognize podcasting. Currently, the field is honoured by bodies including the Webby Awards and Peabody Awards, but the category puts audio storytelling in the same star-studded night as Hollywood’s major films during awards season.
The Golden Globes will nominate six podcasts drawn from the top 25 podcasts in the field. The burgeoning form is expected to surpass 600 million podcasts in 2026. Top documentary/non-fiction podcasts that helped put the medium on the map include Serial, Criminal, and This American Life.
“As the world of entertainment continues to evolve, we are excited to recognize new forms of storytelling,” said Golden Globes President Helen Hoehnein in a release. “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.” Additional details about eligibility will be released in the coming weeks.
The new category follows recent additions to the revamped Golden Globes broadcast, including the introduction of awards for Best Performance in a Standup Comedy and, on the film side, Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. The latter brought a rare documentary recognition to the Globes when Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour scored a nomination two years ago.
The 2026 ceremony, airing January 11, will again be hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, whose performance on this year’s show was widely praised. Nominations in podcast, film, and television categories will be announced on December 8. Winners in this year’s Golden Globes included The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez for Best Motion Picture Drama and Musical/Comedy, respectively.
