How the Golden Globes Podcast category will influence

The Golden Globes coordinate in the Podcast Boom.

In an attempt to recognize a rapidly rising medium in the midst of an even faster -shifting media landscape, the Globes announced the addition of a best podcast of the year category at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards. The new honor marks the first major expansion of the globes since the introduction of the cash and cinematic performance category in 2023 – and it is confronted with a powerful mix of excitement, skepticism and uncertainty of the podcasting world.

“This is what industry needs recognition that podcasting is stories,” says comedian Bert Kreischer, host of “Bertcast” and “2 Bears, 1 Cave”, which he and his friend Tom Segura. “It’s not just noise. It’s a vessel.”

Craft, however, is notorously difficult to define in a medium where an unwritten conversation of 90 minutes can surpass the charts in addition to a tightly processed newsletter or a crime docuseries. According to provisional guidelines, six finalists will be selected from the “Top 25” list of the most popular podcasts, although exactly how that list is composed, will remain unclear.

“We would like to know how this will work,” admits Kreischer.

There is currently no large ceremony that recognizes podcasts. It is a big problem, but it also raises many questions.

From May 2025 the “Top 25” comprises a wide spectrum of formats and voices: comedy favorites such as the Basement Yard and Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast; Journalistic pillars such as the daily and first up; Real crime juggernuts such as crime junkie and morbid; Political lightning bars such as the Tucker Carlson Show and the Megyn Kelly Show; Culture and comment hits such as the Joe Rogan experience and call her father; And in celebrities powered entries, including smartless and good hang with Amy Poehler. That width is a challenge: how do you compare a show in which two friends debate about the best Pop-Tart Smaak with one that dissects the latest political crisis or more trouble-free, with programs accused of distributing wrong information and inflammatory rhetoric?

“It is a cool idea, but it raises more questions than anything,” says Frank Alvarez, co-gastheer of the Kelderwerf, one of the top comedy podcasts in the US “Comedy is subjective. News is structured. So how do you judge them honestly against each other?”

“Exactly,” adds Joe Santagato, co-gastheer and CEO of Alvarez of Santagato Studios. “We are only two friends who hang out, but for some they come through a collapse or a bad week. That is cultural impact – but it is not the same as investigative journalism.”

The Globes organization says that the ‘cultural and creative impact’ category will honor, a broad that can tilt some fear too far in favor of shows driven or politically aligned by celebrities. With the podcast eco -system broken over Spotify, Apple, YouTube and independent platforms, industry insiders urge the world to clarify how statistics will be weighed – downloads, listening quality or range?

‘If it is just About popularity, what is the point? “Kreischer asked.” Give it to Rogan every year. And I think he deserves it. But if you really appreciate the substance and the message, it must be voted on. That is what makes it interesting. “

The ideological minefield is already forming.

With shows by Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Joe Rogan in the mix, some fear that the globes, criticized for a long time because of their Hollywood-Centric, left voices, can be confronted with play, regardless of which direction the nominations are taking.

“If this entire list finally becomes left -wing podcasts, this is the last year that they have this prize,” warns Kreischer. “You have to be honest about it. When Megyn Kelly kills it, she deserves to be there. The same applies to Smartless, call her father or my favorite murder. You can shake this up better. Because podcasts are everywhere, and they go that far.”

That care is reflected in comic circles, where makers are worried that unusual, irreverent humor – often politically agnostically – can be overlooked.

“We are not trying to disturb spring,” said Alvarez. “We are comic relief. But if it is ultimately all Podcasts of Celebrity, that confirms the bias.”

For Santagato, the question is not only political – it is about access. “If an A-list celebrity drops a podcast for eight months and is nominated during a show that has been sharpening for years? Yes, that is frustrating. But it would not be the first time that prices were influenced by Star Power.”

Despite the questions, most podcasters agree that the recognition is too late.

“Nobody respected Youtubers or podcasters five years ago,” notes Santagato. “Now mix those worlds. And it’s good for everyone.”

Podcasts such as Call Her Daddy, organized by Alex Cooper, regularly perform better than TV talk shows in both reach and influence. Yet the medium is ignored by the world’s most prominent ceremonies, such as the Emmy’s, Grammy and Oscars. The Golden Globes that step in can mark a turning point for institutional acceptance.

“There is no comparison with Appels-to-Apples between a show with a video interview of 90 minutes on YouTube and an NPR audio digest of 20 minutes,” says a publicist who represents different makers. “They must clearly explain their methodology.”

“This is just another way to get podcasts to the mainstream,” says Kreischer. “They are great. They are like great books that you listen to in your car. I learned more from three episodes that I listened to about Martin Luther yesterday than in the 18+ years that I was in school.”

In an era in which influence is measured less by Nielsen -Reviews and more by loyalty of the public and digital virality, the new category may offer more than just a trophy. It can be a barometer for what is going now – and who can decide.

After all, the world is voted by more than 300 voters worldwide. An international voice work can have more unique taste and tolerance for something that is considered ‘controversial’ than a domestic viewer. Nevertheless, the podcasters enjoy this idea and look forward to the campaign season. If Kreischer had his way, he would be awarded the best podcast award exactly how podcasting Rose to Power: Lo-Fi, off-the-manchet and wonderfully unfiltered.

“I would do it Boven Zoom,” he shares from his podcast studio in Los Angeles. “Three squares on the screen: one for the globes, one for the public, and one for me. And I would open with a damn advertisement. … I would say:” This category is offered by Betterhelp. Look in the room, we all had difficult years. Sean penn, I see you. ” Then I would do the whole reading and go directly to the nominees.

The crowd can laugh, the advertisers can cheer and the industry may have to find out how they can assess the non -categorizable.

Variety First projections for the new category are below. More information about rules and suitability will be announced at a later time.

Variety parent company PMC owns Golden Globes producer Dick Clark Prods. In a joint venture with Eldridge.