The Golden Globe Awards are expanding beyond film and television by introducing a new category that will honor excellence in podcasting. The inaugural “Podcast of the Year” award will be presented at the 2026 ceremony, scheduled to air on January 11, according to an official announcement made on Wednesday.
A Landmark Addition for the Audio Industry
The new category is part of the Golden Globes’ effort to recognize “extraordinary and diverse talents in podcasting,” a medium that has rapidly grown in both popularity and cultural influence. The award will acknowledge achievements across various podcast formats, including narrative storytelling, interviews, news, and video-based shows.
“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.
Hoehne emphasized that the inclusion of podcasts aligns with the Globes’ goal of showcasing the full range of today’s entertainment landscape and audience habits. She added that honoring audio-based creators alongside traditional film and television professionals reflects the Globes’ commitment to “new voices and formats.”
What We Know About the New Category
Only the top 25 podcasts, based on as-yet-unannounced selection criteria, will be eligible for consideration. From that pool, six nominees will be selected for the final shortlist. A Golden Globes representative confirmed that all types of podcasts — including visual, narrative, interview, and news — will qualify for the new award.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which oversees the awards, is expected to release additional details about eligibility, judging criteria, and submission processes in the coming weeks.
Nikki Glaser to Return as Host
Comedian Nikki Glaser will return as host for the 2026 Golden Globes, marking her second time emceeing the ceremony. Glaser debuted as host earlier this year and described the experience as the most fun she’s had in her career.
“I can’t wait to do it again, and this time in front of the team from ‘The White Lotus’ who will finally recognize my talent and cast me in season four as a Scandinavian Pilates instructor with a shadowy past,” Glaser joked in March.
A New Era for the Globes
This move by the Golden Globes places them among the first major Hollywood award shows to formally recognize podcasting — a medium that has transformed storytelling and journalism alike. As audio entertainment continues to carve out its space in the cultural mainstream, the 2026 Golden Globes promises to spotlight not only the biggest stars of the screen, but also the voices shaping how stories are heard around the world.
