National Headliner Awards 2026 Open Entries With New Digital & Cross-Platform Categories
The National Headliner Awards, one of the longest-running and most respected journalism competitions in the United States, has officially opened entries for its 2026 contest, unveiling a significant expansion that reflects the evolving realities of modern newsrooms.
For the first time in its 90-year history, the competition now includes comprehensive digital multimedia and cross-platform journalism categories, signaling a decisive shift toward recognizing innovative storytelling across podcasts, video, social media, and integrated digital formats.
Founded in 1934 by the Press Club of Atlantic City, the National Headliner Awards have long been considered a benchmark for journalistic excellence. Over the decades, the competition has honored nearly 3,000 first-place winners, celebrating outstanding reporting, writing, photography, and broadcasting from news organizations across the country.
What sets the Headliner Awards apart is their platform-agnostic approach — recognizing journalism based on impact, integrity, and storytelling quality rather than prestige or outlet size.
What’s New for the 2026 National Headliner Awards
The 2026 contest introduces two major new divisions that are open to all news organizations, regardless of size or format. These additions reflect how journalism increasingly reaches audiences through multiple platforms simultaneously.
1. Digital Multimedia Categories
This newly expanded section recognizes journalism designed primarily for digital-first consumption, including audio and video storytelling.
Eligible categories include:
Podcast Journalism
Civic and political podcasts
Narrative and investigative podcast series
Sports podcasts
News and information podcasts
Web-First Video Journalism
Short-form digital news clips
Feature-length online video reports
Investigative video journalism
Documentary-style web productions
These categories acknowledge the rapid rise of podcasts and online video as primary news sources, particularly among younger and mobile-first audiences.
2. Cross-Platform Journalism Categories
The second major addition focuses on innovation across mediums, rewarding journalism that seamlessly blends formats to tell compelling stories.
Eligible entries may include:
Journalistic Innovation Projects
Integrated Digital Presentations
Video, photography, graphics, and text combined
Social Media Journalism Execution
Independent and Community News Websites
Audience-engagement driven storytelling
This category reflects the reality that today’s most impactful journalism often exists across websites, apps, podcasts, video platforms, and social channels simultaneously.
Why This Expansion Matters for Journalism in 2026
The National Headliner Awards’ expansion arrives at a pivotal moment for the media industry.
Key Industry Shifts Driving the Change
Audiences increasingly consume news via podcasts, mobile video, and social platforms
Newsrooms are producing one story across multiple formats
Independent and community news organizations are playing a larger role in local accountability journalism
Digital storytelling tools allow deeper audience engagement and transparency
By formally recognizing digital and cross-platform work, the Headliner Awards are aligning with how journalism is actually practiced and consumed today.
Categories, Eligibility, and Submission Timeline
Total Categories for 2026
89 total competition categories
Eligible Work Period
Content published, broadcast, or distributed in the U.S. between:
January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025
Submission Deadline
January 30, 2026
Entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (local time)
Who Can Enter
Journalists
Newsrooms
Media organizations
Independent and nonprofit news outlets
Organizations of all sizes, from local to national
Awards, Recognition, and Prize Money
In addition to category-specific honors, the competition awards Best-of-Show recognition across multiple formats.
Best-of-Show Divisions Include:
Digital Journalism
Television
Radio
Photography
Print
Each Best-of-Show winner receives a $1,500 cash prize, along with national recognition and industry prestige.
Established Divisions Still Going Strong
While the competition evolves, its traditional categories remain a cornerstone of the awards.
These include:
Radio Stations
Broadcast Television
Local and Network
Newspapers
Magazines
Photography
Digital Journalism
This balance ensures that both legacy excellence and forward-thinking innovation are equally valued.
A Signal to the Industry: Adaptation Is Essential
The expanded categories underscore a broader message from the National Headliner Awards: Great journalism is no longer confined to a single platform.
By embracing digital-first, multimedia, and cross-platform storytelling, the awards reinforce the importance of:
Audience-centered journalism
Creative presentation
Technological fluency
Ethical reporting across formats
For journalists navigating a rapidly shifting media environment, the 2026 Headliner Awards represent both recognition and validation of modern newsroom realities.
How to Enter the 2026 National Headliner Awards
Journalists and organizations interested in submitting entries can find full category descriptions, eligibility rules, and submission guidelines through the official awards portal.
➡️ Entries are now open and accepting submissions.
Final Word
With nearly a century of history behind it, the National Headliner Awards’ expansion into digital multimedia and cross-platform journalism marks a defining moment for the competition — and for the industry it serves.
As storytelling tools evolve, the Headliner Awards continue to adapt, ensuring that excellence in journalism is recognized wherever and however it reaches audiences.
