For the first time in its history, the Golden Globes will recognize podcasts as part of its awards lineup. The 2026 nominees for Best Podcast were announced this week—marking a major milestone for the medium’s cultural legitimacy.
The inaugural nominees include a mix of mainstream hits and critically acclaimed formats:
- Armchair Expert (Wondery)
- Call Her Daddy (SiriusXM)
- Good Hang (Spotify)
- SmartLess (SiriusXM)
- The Mel Robbins Podcast (SiriusXM)
- Up First (NPR)
The announcement was made during a non-televised segment ahead of the January 11 ceremony, which will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
While podcasting has seen explosive growth over the last decade, this marks one of its first major recognitions in traditional entertainment awards. The inclusion of this category signals how audio storytelling is being embraced alongside film and television.
With SiriusXM scoring three nominations and strong showings from NPR, Spotify, and Wondery, the competition also highlights how major platforms are driving quality content production. The winner could set the tone for how awards shows honor podcast creators in the years to come.
