Golden Globes 2025 Makes History With First-Ever Best Podcast Award
The Golden Globes are set to make entertainment history this Sunday as podcasting officially enters one of Hollywood’s most prestigious award stages. For the first time ever, the Golden Globe Awards will present a Best Podcast trophy, marking a watershed moment for the fast-growing audio medium that has reshaped journalism, comedy, culture, and public discourse.
As anticipation builds ahead of the ceremony, major audio powerhouses including Spotify, SiriusXM, Wondery, and NPR are rolling out high-profile celebrations, creator spotlights, and exclusive industry events. The move underscores how podcasting has evolved from a niche digital experiment into a mainstream cultural force now recognized alongside film and television’s biggest achievements.
The Golden Globes ceremony, often dubbed “Hollywood’s Party of the Year,” will air live on CBS-TV on Sunday, January 11, placing podcast creators squarely in the global entertainment spotlight.
Podcasting’s Big Night: Why the Golden Globes’ Recognition Matters
The addition of a Best Podcast category at the Golden Globes represents more than just another trophy—it signals a profound shift in how storytelling is defined in the modern media ecosystem.
Over the past decade, podcasts have:
Transformed how audiences consume news and long-form journalism
Redefined celebrity-hosted entertainment
Created new revenue models for creators
Expanded access to diverse voices and perspectives
By formally recognizing podcasting, the Golden Globes acknowledge that audio-first content now competes on the same cultural plane as traditional screen-based entertainment.
“A Stop-Sign Moment for Podcasting”
Roman Wasenmüller, Vice President and Global Head of Podcasts at Spotify, described the moment as transformative.
“Being recognized at the Golden Globes for the first time is a stop-sign moment for podcasting,” Wasenmüller said. “It reflects how far the medium has come, the opportunity that still lies ahead, and the creativity, diversity, and ambition of the creators shaping podcasting today.”
His remarks echo a growing industry consensus: podcasting is no longer the future—it is the present.
Meet the Nominees: The First-Ever Golden Globe Podcast Contenders
The inaugural list of Golden Globe podcast nominees brings together some of the most influential and widely followed shows in the audio landscape. Each nominee represents a distinct approach to storytelling, conversation, and audience engagement.
🏆 Golden Globe 2025 – Best Podcast Nominees
“Good Hang with Amy Poehler” (Spotify)
“Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard” (Wondery)
“Call Her Daddy” (SiriusXM)
“The Mel Robbins Podcast” (SiriusXM)
“SmartLess” (SiriusXM)
“Up First” (NPR)
From comedy and celebrity interviews to motivational storytelling and daily journalism, the nominee list reflects the breadth and maturity of the podcasting medium.
Spotify Leads the Charge With Week-Long Golden Globes Podcast Celebration
Spotify, home to nominee “Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” is seizing the historic moment with a week-long celebration designed to spotlight creators, unveil new tools, and deepen listener engagement.
Spotify’s Golden Globes Podcast Initiatives Include:
Creator spotlights across the platform
New features aimed at helping podcasters grow and monetize
Curated playlists and podcast collections
Industry networking events
Spotify has publicly framed the Golden Globes’ recognition as a “major milestone” that validates podcasting’s expanding impact across:
News and journalism
Entertainment
Social and cultural conversations
Golden Week Nominees Night: Music, Culture, and Podcasting Collide
One of the most anticipated events of the week is Spotify’s Golden Week Nominees Night, scheduled for Thursday ahead of the awards.
🎶 Featured Performers:
Chaka Khan
John Legend
Miles Caton, breakout star of Sinners
The event blends live music with podcast culture, reflecting how audio storytelling increasingly intersects with broader entertainment industries.
SiriusXM’s “Before the Buzz Brunch”: A More Intimate Industry Gathering
While Spotify is going big, SiriusXM is opting for a more intimate celebration. On Saturday, the company will host the “Before the Buzz Brunch,” described as a low-key gathering designed to honor podcast nominees in a relaxed, community-driven environment.
SiriusXM’s strong presence among the nominees—three of the six podcasts—highlights the company’s growing influence in premium audio and talent-driven programming.
NPR Celebrates Journalism’s Place in Podcasting’s Golden Moment
Public media powerhouse NPR is also marking the occasion with a dedicated event at its NPR West studios.
NPR’s Celebration Will Feature:
Lunch and studio tour
Appearances by Up First hosts:
Steve Inskeep
Leila Fadel
Michel Martin
A Martínez
Ayesha Rascoe
As one of the earliest adopters of podcasting, NPR’s inclusion reinforces the medium’s journalistic credibility and its role in daily news consumption.
How Podcasting Reached the Golden Globes Stage
From RSS Feeds to Red Carpets
Podcasting’s journey to the Golden Globes has been years in the making. Once considered a fringe medium, podcasts now command:
Hundreds of millions of global listeners
Billion-dollar advertising markets
Exclusive celebrity deals
Cross-platform adaptations into TV and film
Shows like Serial, The Joe Rogan Experience, and Call Her Daddy paved the way for podcasting’s mainstream acceptance.
Industry Impact: What This Means for Creators and Brands
The Golden Globes’ embrace of podcasting is expected to accelerate several industry trends:
🚀 Expected Industry Effects:
Increased brand investment in podcast advertising
Greater talent crossover between Hollywood and audio
Higher production values and storytelling ambition
New award categories across other ceremonies
For independent creators, the recognition also signals that podcasting is a legitimate, long-term creative career path.
What’s Next for the Golden Globes and Podcasting?
Media analysts expect the Best Podcast category to evolve rapidly in coming years, potentially expanding into:
Genre-based podcast awards
Narrative vs. conversational distinctions
International podcast recognition
As streaming platforms, media companies, and advertisers continue to invest heavily in audio, podcasting’s presence at major award shows is likely just beginning.
Golden Globes 2025: When and Where to Watch
Event: Golden Globe Awards 2025
Date: Sunday, January 11
Broadcast: CBS-TV
Category Debut: Best Podcast
All eyes will be on which podcast takes home the historic first Golden Globe trophy.
Final Thoughts: A Turning Point for Modern Storytelling
The Golden Globes’ decision to honor podcasting reflects a broader truth about how audiences connect with stories today. In an era of on-demand media, podcasts have proven that voice-driven storytelling remains one of the most powerful forms of human connection.
As Spotify, SiriusXM, NPR, and Wondery celebrate their nominees, one thing is clear: podcasting has officially arrived on Hollywood’s biggest stage—and it’s here to stay.