Live From Mount Olympus & Work It Out Wombats Win Big at 2026 Kidscreen Awards

The global children’s entertainment industry gathered in San Diego last month for one of its most prestigious annual celebrations — the 2026 Kidscreen Awards — and this year, podcasts emerged as powerful storytellers alongside television giants.

Two standout audio series — “Live From Mount Olympus” and “Work It Out Wombats!” — claimed top honors in their respective categories, signaling a major shift in how children’s content is created, consumed and celebrated.

While Disney dominated the broader awards tally, the podcast wins underscore how digital storytelling is redefining engagement for young audiences.

Below is a complete breakdown of the biggest moments, winners, and what this means for the future of kids’ entertainment.

Live From Mount Olympus and Work It Out Wombats win Best Podcast at 2026 Kidscreen Awards ceremony in San Diego

Table of Contents

Podcasts Shine: A Landmark Moment for Audio Storytelling

In a media landscape once dominated by television animation and streaming series, podcasts are now taking center stage. At the 2026 ceremony, two acclaimed series secured the Best Podcast titles:

The recognition marks a significant milestone for audio-first storytelling aimed at children and families.

🎙️ Best Podcast (Kids): “Live From Mount Olympus”

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Produced by the Onassis Foundation and the the TEAM, “Live From Mount Olympus” earned the Best Podcast award in the Kids category.

Launched in 2021 and distributed by PRX, the series reimagines classic Greek myths through a modern lens, bringing emotional depth and contemporary resonance to ancient stories.

Why It Stands Out

The podcast is hosted by Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner André De Shields, who lends his voice to Hermes — the mischievous and charismatic god of storytellers.

Supporting cast includes:

Executive Producer Karen Brooks Hopkins described the win as particularly meaningful, noting that the podcast triumphed alongside projects from industry heavyweights such as Disney, Netflix, BBC Studios and PBS Kids.

The team is currently developing a new season, further expanding its mythological universe.

🐾 Best Podcast (Preschool): “Work It Out Wombats!”

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Taking home Best Podcast in the Preschool category, “Work It Out Wombats!” continues to prove that educational storytelling can be both fun and developmentally enriching.

Produced by GBH Kids, PRX and PBS Kids, the series launched in 2024 and quickly captured young listeners.

What Makes It Special

The series follows Malik, Zadie and Zeke — three energetic wombat siblings living in the imaginative “Treeborhood,” the largest treehouse ever imagined. Each episode centers on collaborative problem-solving adventures guided by their grandmother.

The podcast aligns with early learning frameworks and reinforces executive functioning skills in young children — an area increasingly valued by educators and parents alike.

Disney Leads Overall Medal Count at 2026 Ceremony

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While podcasts celebrated major wins, the night overall belonged to Disney.

Top Studio Wins

The ceremony, hosted by comedian and TV personality Jessi Cruickshank, took place during the Kidscreen Summit 2026 in San Diego.

Disney Branded Television and Disney Television Animation secured multiple wins across categories, including:

Standout Winners Across Key Categories

The awards honor excellence in preschool, kids, tweens/teens programming, creative talent and digital media.

Programming — Preschool Highlights

Programming — Kids Highlights

Programming — Tweens/Teens

Creative & Performance Honors

Creativity remains central to the Kidscreen mission.

Creative Talent Awards

Performance Awards

Digital Expansion: Roblox and Interactive Wins

Recognizing how children engage beyond TV and podcasts, the 2026 edition introduced new interactive categories.

First-Ever Best Roblox Experience Winners

Other digital winners included:

Why the 2026 Kidscreen Awards Matter More Than Ever

The 2026 awards illustrate three powerful industry shifts:

1️⃣ Podcasts Are Now Premium Kids Content

Audio storytelling now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with streaming giants.

2️⃣ Inclusivity and Representation Are Central

Multiple awards recognized diversity-driven narratives.

3️⃣ Interactive Media Is Expanding Rapidly

Roblox, mobile games and digital-first experiences are reshaping engagement.

Industry Insight: The Rise of Audio in Children’s Media

The success of “Live From Mount Olympus” and “Work It Out Wombats!” demonstrates:

For brands and creators, audio is no longer experimental — it’s strategic.

Final Takeaway

The 2026 Kidscreen Awards showcased the future of children’s media — one where:

As Disney celebrated eight wins, it was the podcast victories that signaled the most meaningful evolution: children’s storytelling is becoming more diverse, more interactive and more accessible than ever before.

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