First Off, What Are These Awards?
Think of the iHeartPodcast Awards as one of the biggest nights for the podcasting world. It’s an annual event designed to celebrate the shows, creators, and innovators who define the audio landscape. While some awards are decided by industry experts,
the biggest prize of the night, Podcast of the Year, is voted on by fans. This makes the show a fascinating mix of critical acclaim and popular opinion, offering a great snapshot of what people are actually listening to and what the industry respects. The 2026 ceremony was held in March in Austin, Texas, as part of the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival.
The Big Winners Everyone Was Talking About
The most coveted award, Podcast of the Year, went to “Giggly Squad.” Hosted by Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo, the show is a prime example of the conversational, personality-driven content that dominates the charts. Other major winners included “Good Hang with Amy Poehler” for Best Comedy and Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” for Best Pop Culture. For those interested in self-improvement, “The Mel Robbins Podcast” took home the award for Best Wellness & Fitness. Seeing these names at the top gives you a quick-and-easy list of shows that have captured a massive audience.
Use Categories as Your Personal Guide
With nearly 30 categories, the full list of nominees can be overwhelming. The secret for a casual listener is to ignore the noise and use the categories as curated playlists. Are you a history buff? Check out the nominees for Best History, an award won this year by “The Rest Is History.” Need something to listen to with your kids? “Circle Round” won Best Kids & Family. From Best Crime and Best News to Best Food and Best Fiction, these categories are a goldmine for discovering high-quality shows tailored to your specific interests. You don't need to have heard of them before; the nomination itself is a stamp of approval.
The Icons and What They Mean for Podcasting
Beyond the competitive categories, the awards also honor trailblazers with Icon Awards. This year, Jay Shetty (“On Purpose”) received the Social Impact Award for his work in mental health conversations. Terry Gross, the legendary host of NPR's “Fresh Air,” was given the Audible Audio Pioneer Award, recognizing her foundational contributions to the art of the interview. The Innovator Award went to Hrishikesh Hirway, the creator of “Song Exploder,” a podcast that deconstructs songs with the artists themselves. These awards point to the people who have shaped the medium, making their shows essential listening for anyone wanting to understand the DNA of modern podcasting.
How to Be Ready for Next Year
Now that you're caught up, you can be prepared for the next cycle. The iHeartPodcast Awards typically happen in the first quarter of the year, with nominations announced in January and the ceremony in March. Fan voting for Podcast of the Year usually runs for several weeks after the nominations are revealed. When the time comes, the show is very accessible. It streams for free on video platforms like VEEPS and is broadcast across iHeartMedia radio stations and the iHeartRadio app, making it easy to tune in from anywhere.
