iHeartMedia has unveiled the nominees for the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards, collaborating once again with South by Southwest (SXSW). The awards will take place at ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, on March 16 at 7 p.m. Central Time. Comedian and podcaster Ego Nwodim will host the event.
Overview of the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards
This annual awards ceremony honors the most significant contributors to the podcasting world, showcasing a total of 28 categories. A key highlight is the fan-voted Podcast of the Year award.
Nominees for Podcast of the Year
- Good Hang With Amy Poehler
- The Breakfast Club
- The Mel Robbins Podcast
- Pablo Torre Finds Out
- The Daily (New York Times)
- The Rest Is History
- This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
- Call Her Daddy
- Heavyweight
- Giggly Squad
Voting for the Podcast of the Year category will be open from January 14 to February 22 at iheartpodcastawards.com. Other categories will be judged by a panel of industry experts.
Ego Nwodim as Host
Ego Nwodim, known for her work on “Saturday Night Live,” will emcee the awards. She is also the host of the “Thanks Dad” podcast, which has been nominated for Best Emerging Podcast.
Special Recognitions
In addition to the main awards, iHeartMedia will distribute three Icon Awards to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to podcasting.
- Jay Shetty – 2026 Social Impact Award
- Terry Gross – 2026 Audible Audio Pioneer Award
- Hrishikesh Hirway – 2026 Innovator Award
Community Impact and Growth
Will Pearson, president of iHeartPodcasts, highlighted the rapid growth and vibrancy of podcasting. The event’s return to Austin signifies its integration into the cultural dialogue surrounding SXSW.
Peter Lewis, chief commercial officer of SXSW, expressed pride in hosting the awards again, emphasizing the lasting impact of podcasting on the festival.
Audible, part of Amazon, will sponsor the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards. Additional details, including guest presenters, will be announced in the future.
