Podcasting Takes the Spotlight: A Golden Globe First
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards made podcasting history this year by introducing a brand-new category: Best Podcast. For the first time ever, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association expanded beyond film and television to formally honor excellence in the rapidly growing world of audio storytelling, signaling a recognition of how podcasts have become essential to modern media and culture.
This new category brought an extra layer of excitement to the Golden Globes, giving creators in one of the most dynamic and diverse storytelling mediums a moment on one of entertainment’s most prestigious stages. Rather than limiting accolades to visuals, the Globes acknowledged audio’s power to connect with millions of listeners globally, celebrate creativity, and elevate voices that might otherwise remain outside Hollywood’s traditional spotlight.
The inaugural nominees represented some of the most influential podcasts of the year. “Good Hang with Amy Poehler”, a comedy interview show hosted by the beloved Parks and Recreation and Saturday Night Live alum, topped the list. Competing shows included “Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard”, where actor Dax Shepard digs into candid conversations with guests; “Call Her Daddy”, the wildly popular culture and relationships podcast from Alex Cooper; “The Mel Robbins Podcast”, blending motivational advice with personal insight; “SmartLess”, starring Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes; and “Up First” from NPR, offering news-centric content each morning.
When the moment came at the Golden Globe ceremony on January 11, 2026, hosted at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, all eyes were on this historic new category. Amid the usual glamour and anticipation, Snoop Dogg took the stage to present the award, underscoring just how culturally broad the Globes’ reach has become. Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang with Amy Poehler” won the first-ever Golden Globe for Best Podcast, marking a milestone not just for her show but for the podcasting industry as a whole. In her acceptance, she humorously and warmly celebrated her fellow nominees and the medium that brought them all to the stage.
The excitement around this award goes beyond a single win. It reflects how podcasts have evolved from niche passion projects into mainstream art forms capable of entertaining, informing, and shaping cultural conversations. By adding a Best Podcast category, the Golden Globes have elevated podcasting’s legitimacy, offering creators a prestigious platform and signaling that audio creativity matters just as much as cinematic and television achievements.
For listeners and creators alike, this moment feels like a breakthrough, an acknowledgment that the stories we devour with our ears deserve recognition alongside those we watch on screen. It’s a celebration of narrative diversity and a thrilling new chapter for podcasting in the awards world.