The New York Festivals 2026 Radio Awards is now open for entries, with organisers announcing a new Video Podcast category for the first time.
The international competition recognises excellence in audio storytelling across radio, podcasts and digital platforms, and the latest addition reflects the growing importance of visual podcast formats.
Fourteen category groups are available this year, covering news, documentaries, talk shows, on-air talent, craft, and entertainment. The awards have recognised global achievements since 1957 and continue to adapt, with recent years highlighting podcasting, audiobooks and digital content alongside traditional radio.
Rose Anderson, Executive Vice President and Executive Director of the competition, said the Radio Awards has “championed the art of storytelling across every platform” for nearly seven decades.
Organisers also emphasise the event’s commitment to investigative journalism, nonfiction programming and social justice themes, supported through partnerships with JusticeAid and the National Press Club.
The National Press Club Award was introduced in 2023 to honour the highest-scoring news programme across categories including breaking news, continuing coverage, nonfiction series and news podcasts. Last year, the honour went to Master Plan by The Lever.
The 2025 Grand Awards recognised Bafflegab Productions for The Man Who Fell to Earth in the Entertainment category, Bucket of Eels for Tested in Podcast: Sports, and Smoke Trail Productions for Buried: The Last Witness in Documentary. In addition, sports journalist Lesley Visser received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The next Storytellers Gala will be held in May 2026, following last year’s virtual showcase streamed from New York’s Central Park. The event brings together winners and nominees to celebrate outstanding work with screenings, speeches and highlights from across the world.
Entries for the 2026 competition must have been produced, released, aired or streamed between 1 January 2024 and 31 January 2025. The closing date for submissions is 31 January 2026, with full details available on the New York Festivals Radio Awards website.
