The Golden Globes are now recognizing podcasts with a new “Best Podcast of the Year” award. Luminate, the data company that also owns the Golden Globes, as well as publications like *Deadline*, *Variety*, and *The Hollywood Reporter*, compiled a list of the top 25 podcasts that could be considered for the award.
The Golden Globes are expanding into the audio world with a new category for best podcast.
The category will debut at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, scheduled for Jan. 11, 2026.
— Variety (@Variety) May 7, 2025
According to the Golden Globes, Luminate ranks the top 25 podcasts by looking at how many people listen, how engaged the audience is, how much money the podcasts make, and where they rank on charts. Luminate uses data directly from podcast platforms to make these determinations.
Golden Globes Eligible Podcasts
A complete list of eligible nominees for Best Podcast is available on the Golden Globes website.
According to Helen Hoehne, president of the Golden Globes, the first-ever group of podcasts considered for the new Best Podcast award demonstrates the amazing variety and innovation happening in podcasting right now. The Golden Globes are the first major awards show to celebrate this form of entertainment.
Golden Globes: Podcasts Eligible for New Best Podcast Award Revealed
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 3, 2025
I think what’s really cool about the most popular podcasts is how many different kinds of people they appeal to. You’ve got established news sources like 20/20 and 48 Hours right alongside newer, independent shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, The Megyn Kelly Show, and The Tucker Carlson Show. It just shows there’s something for everyone!
The list isn’t limited to podcasts about current events. Podcasts with a large audience and high listener engagement, such as *Call Her Daddy*, *Good Hang with Amy Poehler*, and *MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories*, were also included.
In 2026, the Golden Globe for Best Podcast will pit comedies and true crime shows against each other, along with podcasts covering conspiracies and current events, as there won’t be separate categories for each genre.
Podcasts hoping to be considered have until October 31, 2025, to submit their work. After that date, Golden Globes voters will select six finalists. Currently, a quick look on X (formerly Twitter) doesn’t show any podcasts publicly campaigning for a nomination.
Why the Golden Globes Need a Podcast Category
I’ve really taken to heart what Elon Musk says about the media these days. It feels like the old idea of a few big companies controlling everything is gone. He puts it simply: we *are* the media now, all of us.
You are the media now
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 6, 2024
At a recent rally, Dana White claimed that Joe Rogan’s support significantly helped Donald Trump win the 2024 election. Trump’s three-hour interview with Rogan on a podcast could be as impactful as famous moments from past campaigns, like Richard Nixon’s “Checkers” speech or Bill Clinton’s appearance on *The Arsenio Hall Show*. However, unlike those events, this happened on a podcast, and the way people get their news and entertainment has changed a lot since then.
UFC president Dana White publicly expressed his gratitude to Joe Rogan for supporting Donald Trump, stating that Rogan’s endorsement helped contribute to Trump’s win in the election.
During his victory speech in Florida, Trump thanked Joe Rogan for his support, calling him “the mighty and powerful Joe Rogan” and acknowledging Rogan’s help…
— Oh So Super (@OhSoSuper) November 6, 2024
Amy Poehler’s podcast, *Good Hang*, is currently the second most popular on Spotify, right after *The Joe Rogan Experience*. Considering Joe Rogan had 14.5 million Spotify listeners in 2024, Poehler’s podcast is likely reaching a similar large audience. This is especially noteworthy when compared to traditional entertainment: Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show has fewer than two million viewers, and even the award-winning show *Hacks*—which won a Golden Globe—is seeing its viewership numbers decrease.
Award shows like the Golden Globes need to stay current and appeal to viewers and sponsors. To do that, they should acknowledge the growing popularity of podcasts – something people are really into right now.
Conclusion
This year’s Golden Globes show had 9.3 million viewers, a slight decrease of 2% from last year. Paramount is likely hoping the new Best Podcast category will help bring in more viewers in the future.
The Golden Globes are hoping podcasts can help revitalize the awards show, and we’ll see if that strategy works after the ceremony airs on CBS and Paramount+ on January 11, 2026.
Next January, the Golden Globes might include podcasts! Are you excited about that, or are you no longer interested in awards shows in general? Let us know what you think in the comments!
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2025-10-08 18:58