November 11th will put podcasting’s biggest names in the spotlight. The 2026 Astra Podcast Awards nominees include a long list of established hosts
What We Know: The Hollywood Creative Alliance announced nominees in 16 categories ahead of its November 11th ceremony, which will take place at The Garland Hotel in Studio City, California. Every nominee also qualifies for Podcast of the Year. In celebrity, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard and Good Hang with Amy Poehler face Dear Chelsea and Fly on the Wall. Meanwhile, Call Her Daddy and SmartLess compete in comedy. True crime features Crime Junkie and My Favorite Murder. Sports nominees include Pardon My Take and The Bill Simmons Podcast. Additionally, The Daily from The New York Times leads the topical news field. iHeartPodcasts also landed nods for Table Read and Pod Meets World, and independent shows are in the mix, too.
What’s at Stake: Recognition is the top prize, since every nominee is eligible for Podcast of the Year. A win could raise a show’s profile and give independents like those competing against Armchair Expert and SmartLess a marketing boost with advertisers. Meanwhile, iHeartPodcasts’ many nominations will test whether volume translates into wins. Ultimately, the Alliance needs a credible ceremony to establish the Astra Awards as a respected honor.
What Remains Unclear: The announcement doesn’t say who’ll host the ceremony or how winners will be revealed. It also doesn’t detail how many Alliance members vote, so predicting results is tough. Likewise, organizers haven’t named any early favorites for Podcast of the Year. Additionally, The Hollywood Creative Alliance hasn’t detailed how it evaluates podcasts with vastly different audiences and production budgets.
What It Means: Podcasting is moving closer to the traditional entertainment world, and awards like these could speed that up. Celebrity-led shows such as Armchair Expert and SmartLess keep drawing the spotlight, so wins for them would signal that star power still drives recognition. Meanwhile, honors for independent shows could help advertisers and listeners find voices outside the major networks. If the Astra Awards gain traction, trophies could also become a new selling point.
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