British Podcast Awards 2026 Marks 10th Anniversary with New Categories & Judges
The British Podcast Awards, the UK’s most prestigious celebration of podcasting excellence, is set to mark its 10th anniversary in 2026, announcing a bigger, broader, and more inclusive edition than ever before. The milestone event will take place at indigo at The O2 in London on Thursday, 1 October 2026, promising a landmark ceremony that reflects the rapid evolution of the podcasting industry over the past decade.
As podcasts continue to rival traditional media in reach, influence, and commercial power, organisers say this year’s event will honour innovation, amplify emerging voices, and spotlight cultural impact, while also expanding award categories and reforming judging processes.
Since its launch ten years ago, the British Podcast Awards has tracked the meteoric rise of podcasting from a niche digital medium into a mainstream cultural force.
Over the last decade:
Podcasts have become a primary source of news, entertainment, and education for millions of UK listeners
Major broadcasters like BBC Sounds, independent creators, and global platforms have invested heavily in original audio content
Podcast advertising and sponsorship revenues have surged, signalling growing commercial viability
Organisers say the 10th anniversary is not just a celebration — it is also a moment of reflection on how podcasting has reshaped British media consumption.
Record-Breaking 2025 Ceremony Sets the Stage
Last year’s ceremony marked the largest British Podcast Awards event to date, breaking multiple records, including:
The highest number of podcast submissions in the award’s history
A sold-out live audience at the venue
More than 85,000 public votes cast for the Listeners’ Choice Award
These figures underscore the growing public engagement with podcasts, demonstrating how audiences increasingly treat podcasts as a trusted and influential form of media.
2026 Expands to 33 Award Categories
Building on last year’s success, the 2026 British Podcast Awards will feature 33 total categories, including two newly introduced awards designed to reflect changing audience trends and content innovation.
NEW Category: The Amplifier Award
This category will recognise podcasts with:
Exceptional reach
Major cultural influence
Minimum 300,000 downloads per episode
The award aims to celebrate shows that not only attract large audiences but also shape public conversations and cultural narratives.
NEW Category: Food & Drink Podcasts
With food storytelling booming across digital platforms, this category will honour podcasts that focus on:
Culinary culture
Cooking and gastronomy
Drinks, hospitality, and food history
Community-driven food storytelling
This move reflects the growing popularity of lifestyle and culinary audio content in the UK and beyond.
A More Inclusive and Peer-Led Judging Process
For the first time in the award’s history, past finalists will play a direct role in judging.
What’s Changing?
Each previous finalist can nominate one team member to join the judging panel
These peer judges will collaborate with lead judges and main stage judges
The aim is to create fairer, more representative evaluations across genres and production styles
Organisers say this reform strengthens industry representation, giving creators firsthand influence over how excellence is recognised.
Open Call for New Judges Across the Industry
To further widen participation, the British Podcast Awards will allow self-nominations for judging roles via an online application process.
This initiative seeks to involve:
Independent podcasters
Small production teams
Freelancers
On-air hosts
Diverse voices from underrepresented communities
The move reinforces the awards’ mission to broaden industry inclusion while nurturing new talent.
Continued Support for Independent and Small Creators
Recognising that much of the UK podcasting ecosystem is driven by small studios, charities, and solo creators, the awards will continue offering discounted entry fees for:
Freelancers
Independent producers
Small production companies
Non-profit organisations
This ensures that financial barriers do not limit creative recognition.
Podcasting Seriously Fund Partnership Continues
The British Podcast Awards has confirmed it will continue its partnership with the Podcasting Seriously Fund, which supports:
BIPOC audio producers
Queer creators
Trans podcast professionals
The fund helps cover entry fees and access costs, promoting equity and representation across the audio industry.
Why the 10th Anniversary Matters to UK Media
Organisers describe the 2026 edition as more than an awards ceremony — calling it a cultural milestone that reflects:
A decade of innovation and experimentation
The rise of audio storytelling as mainstream media
The influence of podcasts on news, politics, pop culture, and education
The transformation of podcasting into one of the UK’s fastest-growing creative industries
The event will also celebrate the creators, producers, hosts, and communities who shaped podcasting’s success.
Full List of British Podcast Awards 2026 Categories
GENRE AWARDS
Arts & Culture
Business
Comedy
Documentary
Education
Entertainment
Factual
Fiction
Food & Drink (NEW)
Health & Wellbeing
History
Impact
Kids
Lifestyle
News, Politics & Current Affairs
Parenting
Sex & Relationships
Sport
True Crime
Welsh Language
FORMAT AWARDS
Daily Podcast
Interview
Network or Publisher
New Podcast
Video Innovation
PEOPLE & TEAM AWARDS
Rising Star
Best Host(s)
EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS
Podcast Champion
Specialist Award
Spotlight Award
The Amplifier (NEW)
PUBLICLY VOTED
Listeners’ Choice
GRAND PRIX
Podcast of the Year
Key Deadline for Entries
📅 First Entry Deadline: 30 April 2026 🎙️ Submit entries at: britishpodcastawards.com
Industry Experts Say Podcasting Is Entering a New Era
Media analysts note that the podcast sector is entering a new maturity phase, where:
Audience expectations are rising
Production quality rivals TV and radio
Monetisation models continue to expand
Podcasts increasingly shape public opinion and cultural identity
The British Podcast Awards’ expanded categories reflect a sector that is diversifying, professionalising, and scaling globally.
What This Means for Podcasters and Brands
For creators, the 2026 awards offer:
Greater visibility and credibility
New opportunities for recognition
Expanded industry networking
Increased chances for brand partnerships and funding
For brands and advertisers, the milestone signals that podcasting remains one of the most influential digital media channels for reaching engaged audiences.
Final Take: A Landmark Year for UK Podcasting
As the British Podcast Awards celebrates ten years of storytelling, innovation, and audio excellence, the 2026 edition stands as a symbol of how far podcasting has come — and how powerful it has become in shaping modern media.
With new categories, inclusive judging, expanded community participation, and continued support for independent voices, this year’s ceremony is set to become the most impactful British Podcast Awards yet
