Golden Globes Adding Best Podcast Category for 2026

The Golden Globes will have a new category at its 2026 show: best podcast of the year.

The top 25 podcasts will qualify for the award; there will be six nominees in the category. Full eligibility criteria and additional details will be announced in coming weeks. 

The 83rd Golden Globes are set for Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Nikki Glaser, who earned praise as a first-time host of the 2025 Golden Globes, has already been hired to host the 2026 show.

The new category will honor podcasts that have made a significant impact over the past year, celebrating the creativity and influence of creators worldwide. The podcasting medium has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. The Golden Globes’ announcement quotes a Luminate study which forecasts that global audiences across audio and video podcasts will exceed 600 million in 2026.  

The podcast category marks another step by the Golden Globes to adapt to contemporary entertainment trends and audience interests. The Globes added two new categories two years ago: best cinematic & box office achievement – motion pictures (won by Barbie in 2024 and Wicked in 2025) and best stand-up comedy performance – TV (won by Ricky Gervais and Ali Wong in those two years).

“As the world of entertainment continues to evolve, we are excited to recognize new forms of storytelling,” Helen Hoehne, president, Golden Globes, said in a 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.”   

Dick Clark Productions is the owner and producer of the Golden Globes.

The Golden Globes are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.