Good Hang with Amy Poehler wins Best Podcast at the Golden Globe Awards - cash-grab category or a celebration of podcasting's cultural dominance?
In 2026, the Golden Globe Awards did something that would have seemed unlikely just a decade ago: they introduced their first-ever category for Best Podcast.
For an awards ceremony historically rooted in film and television, this was a bold and controversial move.
Podcasts, once dismissed as niche or amateur, have 'officially' entered one of entertainment’s most traditional institutions. The announcement was framed as progress, but beneath the celebration sits a deeper set of questions about legitimacy, fairness, and what recognition in the creator economy actually means.
As Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne put it:
“As the world of entertainment continues to evolve, we are excited to recognize new forms of storytelling… By celebrating achievements in both audio and visual podcasts, we aim to honor our heritage categories while making room for new voices and formats to be heard.”
On the surface, this sounds like overdue validation for a medium that has shaped modern storytelling. But does a single “Best Podcast” category really honor podcasts - or does it diminish the medium?
There’s no denying why podcasts have arrived at this point.
Audiences have shifted away from strictly scripted, screen-based content. Now, long-form conversations, audio-first storytelling, and personality-driven formats command massive attention.
Award shows, meanwhile, are under pressure. Viewership is down, cultural relevance is fragile, and younger audiences are increasingly disengaged. It's clear this is a strategic play by Golden Globes, and it isn't the first time they've tested new categories to stir up the format - Best English-Language Foreign Motion Picture used to be its own category from '57 to '73!
From this perspective, podcasts make sense:
But recognition alone doesn’t equal understanding.
One of the loudest critiques of the new category points to a long-standing inconsistency.
Reality TV - arguably one of the most influential non-scripted formats of the past 25 years - is explicitly excluded from Golden Globe eligibility. Non-scripted television and films are automatically disqualified.
Yet non-scripted podcasts are now welcomed.
This raises an uncomfortable question:
Why is one form of unscripted storytelling dismissed while another is celebrated?
If the argument is artistic merit, cultural impact, or storytelling innovation, reality TV has a compelling case. If the argument is format, then podcasts benefit from being newer - and less burdened by legacy stigma.
The distinction feels less philosophical and more political.
The Golden Globes confirmed that:
But even without the fine print, the problem is obvious.
“Podcast” is not a genre - it’s a delivery method.
Lumping all podcasts into a single category is like giving one award for:
…all at once.
The result? Certain formats are inevitably favored.
Of the six nominated podcasts in the inaugural year:
Absent were:
This raises a crucial question:
Are podcasts being judged on craft - or clout?
Is this about:
Or is it simply reach, ratings, and recognizability?
If popularity becomes the dominant metric, niche and independent creators - often the most innovative - are shut out by design.
The backlash intensified when reports surfaced that Penske-owned Variety pitched nominated podcasts an “array of paid marketing partnerships.”
A veteran awards consultant went so far as to call the category a “money grab.”
This criticism isn’t unique to podcasts. Awards shows have always been intertwined with marketing, promotion, and industry power. But the optics matter - especially for a medium built on independence and authenticity.
When recognition appears pay-to-play, legitimacy erodes.
And when legitimacy erodes, creators start asking:
Who are these awards actually for?
The Golden Globes entering podcasting doesn’t replace existing awards - it competes with them.
Dedicated podcast awards already exist:
These shows were built by and for the medium, with category structures that respect genre diversity and production craft.
The Golden Globes’ involvement may:
Ironically, it could also reinforce their importance - because they understand podcasts better than legacy institutions ever could.
The uncomfortable truth: yes, often they are.
Awards boost:
But that doesn’t mean they’re meaningless.
For creators, recognition still matters - not as validation, but as leverage.
Awards can:
The danger is confusing visibility with value.
The first Golden Globe for Best Podcast is a milestone - but not a finish line.
It signals that audio-first creators are impossible to ignore. But it also highlights how easily nuanced, independent work can be overshadowed when recognition favors scale over substance.
For creators building sustainable businesses, the lesson is clear:
Don’t build for awards.
Build for ownership, audience, and longevity.
Platforms change. Categories shift. Gatekeepers evolve. But creators who control their content, distribution, and monetization are insulated from these swings.
At SupaPass, we believe creators shouldn’t need institutional approval to succeed. Whether your podcast is narrative, niche, experimental, or community-driven, its value isn’t defined by a trophy - it’s defined by the relationship you build with your audience.
The Golden Globes may have opened the door.
It’s up to creators to decide whether they want to walk through it - or build something better on your own terms.
The easiest way to finally have your content, audience & paywall in one place on your own website and mobile apps
A successful app launch can define your mobile app, here are 11 top tips on how to successfully launch on the app stores
A sitewide podcast player is vital to ensuring your listeners have the best experience listening to your content, but how do you make one?
How can content creators like you keep up with the high expectations of the end-user experience that everyone expects?
How can you safely and securely host your event recording online with your attendees?
Patron donations are a fantastic milestone for any content creator - here are SupaPass’ top 5 tips on how to start earning through your content!
Creators struggle to safely and securely share a private video with their audience online. Here are some tips on how to do this…