Golden Globes Name 30 Podcasts Eligible for Best Podcast, Up From 25

The Golden Globes’ podcast race is getting bigger in its second year. Thirty podcasts are eligible to submit for Best Podcast at the 84th Golden Globes, up from 25 when the category debuted, the Golden Globes announced with a list compiled by its data partner Luminate. Deadline and Gold Derby reported the expanded field, and Inside Radio covered it on Oct. 7.

Gold Derby counted 11 first-time entries. Deadline highlighted “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend,” “Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang” and “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast,” and Gold Derby pointed to Jason and Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” as bringing sports talk to the field. The other newcomers named by Gold Derby are “Bad Friends,” “Behind the Bastards,” “Love Trapped,” “My Favorite Murder,” “Revisionist History,” “The Toast” and “This American Life.”

The defending winner is back. Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” won the inaugural award in January, and Gold Derby noted that four of last year’s six nominees are eligible again: “Good Hang,” “SmartLess,” “Call Her Daddy” and “The Mel Robbins Podcast.” The official list also includes “The Joe Rogan Experience,” “The Megyn Kelly Show,” “The Tucker Carlson Show,” “This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von,” “The Shawn Ryan Show,” “Crime Junkie,” “The Daily,” “Dateline NBC,” “Pod Save America,” “Pardon My Take” and “The Bill Simmons Podcast.”

Some familiar names did not return. Deadline reported that “20/20,” “48 Hours,” “Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard” and “The Ben Shapiro Show” are no longer eligible, and Gold Derby added NPR’s “Up First” and “Candace” to the list of six departures. Gold Derby noted that “Armchair Expert” and “Up First” were both nominated last year.

Luminate picks the top 30 qualifying shows using criteria that include audience reach and engagement, revenue and chart rankings, based on data pulled directly from the platforms, according to Deadline and Gold Derby. Making the list does not guarantee a spot on the ballot: the Golden Globes said eligible podcasts have until Oct. 30, 2026, to submit, and submission is mandatory. Deadline disclosed that Luminate is owned by its parent company PMC, which co-owns the Golden Globes.

From there, voters decide. Gold Derby reported that nomination ballots go out Nov. 16, six nominees will be announced Dec. 7, and the ceremony will air Jan. 10, 2027, on CBS and Paramount+ with Nikki Glaser hosting. Last year’s nominees were “Armchair Expert,” “Call Her Daddy,” “Good Hang,” “The Mel Robbins Podcast,” “SmartLess” and “Up First,” Deadline noted.

Inside Radio framed the expansion as a sign that podcasting has become a permanent part of the awards show. Gold Derby also observed that last year’s voters favored actor-hosted and newsmaker shows over political podcasts, leaving open whether the bigger field changes that. One newcomer, “Bad Friends,” recently made business news of its own when it joined Wave in an ad sales and distribution deal. For more, visit our Podcast News page.

Verification: The eligible list and Oct. 30 submission deadline come from the Golden Globes; the newcomers, departures and selection criteria come from Deadline (Peter White, Oct. 5) and Gold Derby (Denton Davidson, Oct. 6), with the ballot and ceremony dates from Gold Derby. Inside Radio’s Oct. 7 report supports the expansion from 25 to 30 shows.