May 07, 2025: The upcoming 83rd Golden Globe Awards will take a significant leap forward in recognizing evolving storytelling mediums with the addition of a brand-new category—Best Podcast of the Year.
As reported by Variety, this new category will debut at the prestigious awards ceremony on January 11, 2026, and will acknowledge excellence in both audio and video podcast formats. The move marks a notable shift in the Globes’ scope, acknowledging the booming podcast industry and its impact on global audiences.
Helen Hoehne, president of the Golden Globes, shared the motivation behind the addition: “As the world of entertainment continues to evolve, we are excited to recognize new forms of storytelling. Podcasts have emerged as a profound medium for sharing narratives and building communities across global borders and generations.”
The category will spotlight podcasts that have made a significant impact over the past year. From the 25 most popular podcasts, six finalists will be selected to compete for the honor. Detailed eligibility criteria are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
This development underscores the growing legitimacy of podcasts as a mainstream storytelling platform and signals a broader recognition of digital content within traditional award ceremonies.