For the first time ever, the Golden Globes have introduced a new Best Podcast category. The nominees were announced on Monday (December 8), and they mark a significant step in recognizing podcasts as a major entertainment medium.
The six nominees for the 2026 ceremony are Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Call Her Daddy, Good Hang with Amy Poehler, The Mel Robbins Podcast, SmartLess and Up First, from NPR. Representing a mix of news, advice and celebrity interviews, they were drawn from a shortlist of 25 programs the Globes had previously deemed eligible.
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Notably, the nominations completely avoided politics or controversy when it came to their six picks. Conservative-leaning programs on the shortlist like The Megyn Kelly Show, The Tucker Carlson Show, The Ben Shapiro Show, and Candace Owen’s Candace were snubbed. Even the The Joe Rogan Experience, which has topped Spotify, Apple and YouTube’s list of weekly podcast charts this year, was excluded. Additionally, the more liberal-leaning Pod Save America was snubbed, as were popular true crime podcasts like Morbid and Rotten Mango.
AP News reports that Ben Bogardus, a professor and chair of the journalism department at Quinnipiac University, said it seemed the Globes’ voting body — after years of scandal for the beleaguered awards show — wanted to avoid any controversy for the next ceremony...like inviting a podcast host who might show up and say something contentious.
“They’re trying to bill themselves as an award show that is for the masses and non-controversial, celebrating the best in entertainment. Having this political sideshow, I think they just wanted to avoid that,” he said.
While more digital-friendly awards shows like the Webby Awards, the Ambies, iHeartRadio and The Shorty Awards recognize podcasting, the Globes’ move marks the first time podcasts have been included by a major awards show.
“It’ll open up the door for more individuals and businesses that want to use the medium to tell interesting stories because it’s got a little more respect, a little more gravitas, a little more mainstream appeal,” Karl Hughes, a 20-year podcasting veteran and CEO of The Podcast Consultant, told the press.
Three of the six nominated titles came from SiriusXM, with the others from Amazon, Spotify and NPR. Mel Robbins, a nominee for her self-help podcast, said in a statement that she was grateful.
“To be nominated for this award is surreal. It is also proof of a simple truth: It is never too late to change your life. Your age, your past, and your doubts do not determine what you can create next,” she said.
Eligible podcasts for the 2026 ceremony must have original content and must have released at least six episodes between January 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025, with each episode having a minimum length of 30 minutes. The award, which will be handed out at the Nikki Glaser-hosted show January 11, recognizes “the quality, creativity, audience engagement and impact” of the podcast, per the Globes.
You can find the full list of Golden Globes nominations here.
Watch and listen to some popular episodes from the six Best Podcast nominees below.
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Article Image: Recent Golden Globe Best Podcast nominees - Amy Poehler, Dax Shepard and Alex Cooper. (Jean_Nelson and PopularImages
via DepositPhotos, Barstool Radio Clips [CC BY 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons)
