iHeartMedia Announces 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards Nominees at SXSW, Hosted by Ego Nwodim
iHeartMedia has officially unveiled the nominees for the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards. This announcement aligns with the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, which highlights innovations in various media forms.
Event Details for the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards
The awards ceremony will take place at ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, on March 16, starting at 7 p.m. CT. For the second consecutive year, comedian Ego Nwodim will host the event. It will also be livestreamed across select iHeartMedia radio stations and through the iHeartRadio app.
Nominees for Podcast of the Year
Among the 28 categories, the most notable is Podcast of the Year, which is determined by fan votes. The list of nominees includes:
- Good Hang With Amy Poehler
- The Breakfast Club
- The Mel Robbins Podcast
- Pablo Torre Finds Out
- The Daily
- The Rest Is History
- This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
- Call Her Daddy
- Heavyweight
- Giggly Squad
Voting for the Podcast of the Year is open from January 14 to February 22 at iheartpodcastawards.com.
Icon Awards for Distinguished Contributions
In addition to the main awards, iHeartMedia will honor three individuals with Icon Awards for their significant impacts on podcasting:
- Jay Shetty – 2026 Social Impact Award
- Terry Gross – 2026 Audible Audio Pioneer Award
- Hrishikesh Hirway – 2026 Innovator Award
Shetty is known for his podcast “On Purpose,” while Gross is celebrated for her work on NPR’s “Fresh Air.” Hirway has gained acclaim for his series “Song Exploder,” which showcases artists discussing their creative processes.
The Significance of Podcasting Today
Will Pearson, president of iHeartPodcasts, remarked on the growing vibrancy of podcasting, calling it one of the most dynamic media forms. He expressed excitement about hosting the awards in Austin.
Peter Lewis, chief commercial officer of SXSW, highlighted the importance of the Podcast Awards at the festival, emphasizing its role in acknowledging the evolving landscape of audio storytelling.
Sponsorship and Future Announcements
Amazon’s Audible is a key sponsor for this year’s awards. Executive producers John Sykes, Tom Poleman, Conal Byrne, and Bart Peters will oversee the event. More information about celebrity presenters and additional guests will be released as the date approaches.
