The world of podcasting hit new heights this week as the winners of the 2025 British Podcast Awards were celebrated in style, while across the Atlantic, the Golden Globes spotlighted podcasts for the first time, announcing the shortlisting process for their new Best Podcast category.
Celebrating the Best in British Podcasting
The British Podcast Awards returned to The O2 for a glittering event, recognizing top talent from across the UK. Topping the night, “Kill List” took home the coveted Podcast of the Year prize, further cementing its reputation for quality storytelling and innovative audio design.
The ceremony showcased a range of winners from various genres, underscoring the diversity and creativity thriving within Britain’s podcast landscape.
Golden Globes Make Podcasting History
For the first time ever, the Golden Globe Awards have opened their prestigious doors to podcasts. Luminate, a data analytics company partially owned by Penske Media (the group behind the Golden Globes), compiled the list of 25 eligible shows.
With nominations heavily reflecting the most popular US podcasts, notable omissions such as "New Heights" and "Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend" sparked discussion. Eligible podcasts have until the end of the month to submit entries—accompanied by a $500 fee—before the six official nominees are unveiled on December 8.
Innovation and Industry Expansion
Major announcements accompanied the awards news:
- Podcast Movement 2025: Organizers made all session videos from the Dallas conference freely accessible, offering valuable insights for podcasters worldwide.
- Ad Tech Integrations: Spotify and SiriusXM announced integrations with Amazon DSP, signifying a growing focus on programmatic advertising in audio.
- Apple Podcasts Features: A new editorial feature, Series Essentials, was launched to spotlight serialized stories across major English-speaking regions.
- iVoox Insights: A report from the Spanish platform iVoox revealed that 80% of Spaniards are now regular podcast listeners, clocking over 10 hours of listening per week.
Continued Growth in Podcast Economics
Financial news highlighted notable momentum:
- PodcastOne reported a 19% year-over-year revenue growth, surpassing $14.5 million.
- Some platforms, like Buzzsprout, quietly adjusted their pricing models to reflect evolving market dynamics.
Creative Highlights and New Show Launches
The week also saw exciting new podcast launches, including:
- "That Can’t Be True" with Chelsea Clinton, exploring fact vs. fiction on contentious topics.
- "Furball Confidential," a show dedicated to personal stories about pets.
- Innovative children’s podcast collaborations offering Halloween-themed challenges for young listeners.
As the audio industry continues to explode, both in terms of creative output and business innovation, this week’s events have only emphasized podcasting’s place at the heart of modern media.
