The Golden Globes are officially stepping into the digital age. Beginning in 2026, the show will present a Best Podcast category, spotlighting audio creators alongside film and television stars.
The announcement, made Wednesday, May 7, marks the first time a major awards show will include podcasts as part of its honors.
Golden Globes embrace digital storytelling
The new category reflects the growing influence of podcasts, which have become a key part of global media consumption. According to the Golden Globes, the award will celebrate “the creativity and influence of creators worldwide.”
Six nominees will be chosen each year from the 25 most-listened-to podcasts that made a significant impact over the past year. Additional details about eligibility criteria and the category itself will come in the following weeks.
Although other awards, such as the iHeartRadio Podcast Awards and the British Podcast Awards, have long recognized excellence in podcasting, this Golden Globes move brings unprecedented visibility to the medium.
Who are the top contenders?
While it’s too early to predict finalists, current podcast charts offer clues about which creators might land a nomination.
On Spotify, ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ held the No. 1 spot as of Thursday, May 8. Rogan, one of the world’s most famous podcasters, is frequently at the top of the charts.
Other popular independent podcasts include Theo Von’s This Past Weekend, Steven Bartlett’s ‘The Diary of a CEO,’ and ‘Good Hang with Amy Poehler.’
Organizations are also major players in the space. True crime-hit ‘Crime Junkie’ and ‘The Daily’ by The New York Times currently rank fourth and fifth on Spotify.
On Apple Podcasts, the rankings look a bit different. ‘The Mel Robbins Podcast’ and ‘Good Hang with Amy Poehler’ hold the first and second spots. The New York Times’ ‘The Daily’ is at No. 3, with ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ slipping to No. 4.
These charts show just how competitive the podcast landscape has become across different platforms.
Podcasts are growing fast
The Golden Globes’ new category comes at a pivotal moment for podcasting. Riverside, a popular podcast recording platform, reported that over 450 million people listened to podcasts globally in 2023. That number is expected to rise to 619 million by 2026.
In the United States, 34% of Americans listen to an average of 8.3 podcast episodes per week.
Podcasts are especially popular among younger audiences. About 84% of young listeners say they tune in to dig deeper into topics or explore perspectives that aren’t often covered by traditional media.
Comedy, news and true crime remain the most popular podcast genres. However, health and wellness shows are currently seeing the fastest growth across all categories.
This broad appeal underscores why the Golden Globes are making room for podcasts in their lineup.
Podcasts haven’t just been entertaining, but they’ve influenced real-world events. In the 2024 election, ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ made headlines hosting President Donald Trump, while Rogan declined the terms of former Vice President Kamala Harris’ interview. The interview with Trump brought about days of coverage underscoring how podcasts have become powerful platforms that can shape political narratives and reach millions outside of traditional media.
Podcasting fills a gap
As traditional TV viewing declines, podcasting is stepping in to fill the void. A recent Forbes report highlighted a study showing that the percentage of Americans watching TV for more than three hours a day dropped by three percentage points in 2024. Rising subscription costs are one reason behind the trend.
Helen Hoehne, president of the Golden Globes organization, said the new award is part of a broader strategy to evolve with the times.
“Podcasts have emerged as a profound medium for sharing narratives and building communities across global borders and generations,” Hoehne said in the announcement. “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.”
