2026 iHeartPodcast awards nominees revealed

The 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards has unveiled its list of nominees, highlighting the wide range of popular and influential podcasts in contention for top honors at this year’s celebration of audio storytelling.

The annual awards, produced by iHeartRadio and returning live to South by Southwest (SXSW) in March, honour voices and creators across genres from crime to comedy, news, culture and beyond.

Leading the field in the Podcast of the Year category are many of the biggest names in audio entertainment, including Normal Gossip, Three, Giggly Squad, Call Her Daddy, Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Hysterical, The Telepathy Tapes, Who Killed JFK? and The Good Whale. These shows span storytelling formats from true‑crime mysteries to vibrant pop culture roundtables.

Nominees across other major categories reflect podcasting’s broad appeal and creative diversity. In Best Comedy, contenders include The Nikki Glaser Podcast, Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade, Normal Gossip, The Joe Rogan Experience and Call Her Daddy, while Best Crime nominees feature Three, Betrayal, Up and Vanished, CounterClock and Something Was Wrong.

 

 

 

 

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The awards also spotlight niche and specialized shows. Categories such as Best Pop Culture and Best Kids & Family bring forward podcasts that entertain and engage across generations, including Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Still Processing, Good Inside with Dr. Becky and Smash Boom Best: A Funny, Smart Debate Show for Kids and Family. Best News nominees feature respected titles like The Journal., The Daily and Up First from NPR.

Other areas of recognition include Best Business and Finance, Best Wellness and Fitness, Best History, Best Music, and Best Emerging podcast categories, each highlighting a range of creators who have reshaped their niches and expanded listener engagement over the past year.

The iHeartPodcast Awards celebrate podcasting’s expanding cultural influence and community impact, with winners chosen by a combination of industry panels and audience engagement.

The ceremony is scheduled to take place live during SXSW on March 10, 2026, giving both fans and industry insiders a chance to honor the creators pushing the medium forward.