Golden Globes adjusts the podcast mutation.
In an attempt to get to know a high -rise broker amid the changing media scene more quickly, Globes announced the addition of the best category of the year at the Golden Globe 2026 Awards. The new honor is the first great expansion in Globes since the introduction of the box office and the cinematic achievement in 2023 – and it is confronted with a strong mixture of excitement, suspicion and uncertainty of the world of podcast.
“This is what the industry needs-admitting that podcast is telling stories,” says comedian Bert Crischer, the host “Bertcast” and “2 Bears, 1 Cave”, who participated with his friend Tom Sigura. “It is not just noise. It’s a craft.”
However, it is difficult to define the letter in a broker where a 90 -minute unidentified conversation can top the plans next to the tightly edited news summary or crime documents. According to preliminary guidelines, six contestants will be chosen from the “Best 25” list of the most popular podcasts, although how to collect this list is still unclear.
“We die to know how this will do,” Krishher admits.
Currently, there is no big party that recognizes the podcast. It is a huge deal, but it also raises many questions.
As of May 2025, “TOP 25” includes a wide range of formats and sounds: comedy favorite such as the basement square, Mat and Shane Podcast; Press basics such as daily and above; Juggernauts real crime such as destructive crime and disease. Political lightning bars, such as Tikkar Carlson and Megan Kelly show; It strikes culture and comments such as the experience of Joe Rogan and called her father; Entirements driven by celebrities including Smartless and Good are suspended with Amy Poehler. This show represents a challenge: How do you compare a show where two friends discuss the best flavor of pop music with an autopsy-or more anxiously, with programs accused of spreading wrong information and inflammatory discourse?
“It is a great idea, but it raises more questions than anything else,” says Frank Alvarez, a participant in the basement square, is one of the best podcasts in the United States.
“Exactly,” adds Joe Santagato, the host of Alvarez and CEO of Santagato Studios. “We are only two friends wandering, but for some, they are going through separation or a bad week. This is a cultural effect – but it is not the same as the investigative press.”
Globes says the category will honor the “cultural and creative influence”, a wide network that some fear can tend to be in favor of offers that depend on celebrities or alignment politically. Through the Podcast system via Spotify, Apple, YouTube and independent platforms, those familiar with the industry urges Globes to clarify how to weigh the measures – downloads, keep the listener, or the content or access to it?
“If so only About popularity, what is the point? “Krishher asked. I think it is worth it. But if you really appreciate the material and the message, it should be voted on it. This makes it interesting.”
The ideological mines field is already formed.
With offers from Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Joe Rogan in this mix, some feared that Globes, which has long been criticized for the left -wing voting body that focuses on Hollywood, is terrible violent regardless of the direction taken by nominations.
“If it is over that this entire list is just a blog with left -wing tendencies, then this will be the last year in which they get this award,” Kreischer warns. “You should be fair about it. If Megyn Kelly is killing her, she deserves to be there. The same applies to Smartless, contact her father or her favorite killing. It is better to shake this. Since the podcast is everywhere, and they go away.”
This anxiety is repeated in comedy circles, where creators worry that anomalous and esteemed humor – often politically inappropriate – may be ignored.
Alvarez said: “We are not trying to cheat the feathers.” “We are a comic comfort. But if it ends until all famous podcasts, this confirms bias.”
For Santagato, the question is not just a policy – it is related to access. “If some celebrities drop the podcast for eight months and are nominated on a offer that was grinding for years?
Despite questions, most podclits agree that recognition is late.
“Nobody respects YouTube or PodCaster five years ago,” Santagato notes. “Now these worlds are mixed. They are good for everyone.”
Podcast such as Call Daddy, which is hosted by Alex Cooper, is regularly outperforming TV talk shows in both access and influence. However, the means were ignored by the most prominent celebrations in the world, such as Emmys, Grammys and Oscars. It can mark Golden Globes for institutional acceptance.
“There is no comparison between apples between shows with a 90 -minute video interview on YouTube and NPR digestion for 20 minutes.” “They will need to explain their methodology clearly.”
“This is just another way to take the podcast to the main current,” says Krishher. “They are great. They are like the wonderful books you are listening to in your car. I learned more than three episodes you listened to about Martin Luther yesterday more than 18 years I was at school.”
In an era in which the effect is measured less through Nielsen’s assessments and more through the loyalty of the public and digital viruses, the new category may offer more than just a cup. It can be a measure of what matters to entertainment at the present time – and who will decide.
After all, Globes is voted by more than 300 voters all over the world. The International Voting Authority may have a unique taste and tolerance of something that is considered “controversial” more than the local scenes. However, the podquaster enjoys this idea and looks forward to the campaign season. If Kreischer has a way, the exact best podcast prize will offer how podcast has risen to Power: Lo-Fi, outside the cuff and unarmed.
“I will do it on zooming,” shares it from the Podcast Studio in Los Angeles. “Three squares on the screen: one for balls, one for the public, and one for me. I open with a fictional advertisement … I will be like,” this category is brought to you by better. Then I will do complete reading and go to the candidates.
The crowd may laugh, advertisers may chant, and industry may only have to know how to judge what cannot be classified.
Diverse The first forecast for the new category below. More information related to the rules and eligibility will be announced at a later time.
The parent company, the PMC Golden Globes Dick Clak Prods owns. In a joint project with Eldridge.
