The Golden Globes Best Podcast category is officially here, and the competition is electric and controversial. For the first time in the awards show’s 83-year history, podcasts will stand alongside film and television, with 25 shows eligible for the brand-new honor.
The list features cultural juggernauts like The Joe Rogan Experience and Call Her Daddy, true-crime favorites like Dateline NBC and Crime Junkie, and political lightning rods, including The Megyn Kelly Show and The Tucker Carlson Show.
Hollywood’s Awards Party Turns Up the Volume
The Golden Globes have long been Hollywood’s most unpredictable awards show, where champagne flows as freely as the off-script speeches. By introducing a podcast category, the Globes are acknowledging that audio has become one of the most influential forms of media.
Golden Globes president, Helen Hoehne, described the inaugural lineup as proof of podcasting’s “depth, diversity, and creativity.” The award will debut at the 83rd Golden Globes on January 11, 2026, giving podcasters a seat at the same table as Oscar contenders and Emmy hopefuls.
The 25 Eligible Podcasts for Golden Globes Best Podcast
Here’s the full list of contenders for the first-time ever Golden Globes Best Podcast award:
- 20/20 (ABC News)
- 48 Hours (CBS News)
- Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
- Call Her Daddy
- Candace
- Crime Junkie
- Dateline NBC
- Good Hang with Amy Poehler
- Morbid
- MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
- Pardon My Take
- Pod Save America
- Rotten Mango
- Shawn Ryan Show
- SmartLess
- Stuff You Should Know
- The Ben Shapiro Show
- The Bill Simmons Podcast
- The Daily (The New York Times)
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- The Megyn Kelly Show
- The Mel Robbins Podcast
- The Tucker Carlson Show
- This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
- Up First (NPR)
Here’s the full list of contenders for the first-time ever Golden Globes Best Podcast award:
The lineup spans genres: investigative journalism, comedy banter, motivational talks, and political firebrands. It reflects the popularity and polarization that defines modern podcasting.
Golden Globes Best Podcast Sparks Industry Buzz
The announcement of the Golden Globes Best Podcast category has already caused debate. Some podcasters see it as long overdue recognition for a medium that dominates daily listening. While others argue the list if tilted toward high-profile celebrity and corporate-backed shows, leaving less space for independent creators who push boundaries with as many audience numbers.
The inclusion of controversial voices also fuels discussion. Joe Rogan, whose show is one of the most downloaded in the world, brings massive influence, but also frequent criticism for his handling of misinformation. Megyn Kelly has built a strong following with sharp political commentary that divides audiences as much as attracts them. And Tucker Carlson, one of the most polarizing figures in American media, guarantees attention while raising questions about how “best” will be defined in a diverse category.
Some Golden Globes insiders have reportedly called the selection process “a racket,” pointing to transparency concerns. The eligibility vetting was overseen by Luminate, a data firm connected to PMC, which owns various outlets covering the Golden Globes. Critics worry that business connection muddies the waters in a competitive field.
What Comes Next
Only six of the 25 shows will advance as official nominees in December, with the winner crowned at a January ceremony. Whether the first Golden Globe for podcasts goes to a news institution, a comedy powerhouse, or one of the polarizing political voices remains to be seen.
One thing is clear: by adding this category, the Golden Globes have confirmed that podcasts are more than the scrappy underdog of entertainment. They are now front and center in Hollywood’s awards conversation. And when the envelope opens on January 11, 2026, it will mark a milestone for an entire medium while highlighting a win for one special podcast show.