Tailor your entry

The primary lesson from entries in previous years is that judges could clearly identify which entries had involved the most effort: which podcasts had adapted their entries for each category and provided specific, relevant and bespoke examples of the reasons why their podcasts deserved to win.

On the whole, those entries which were more thorough, more tailored, and more insightful fared considerably better at shortlisting and final judging stages.

In 2027, the judges will be looking for entries which have clearly considered reasons why their podcast is ahead of the competition for each category; which are written in a way that is engaging and interesting; and which have clearly “gone the extra mile” when providing relevant showreels and digital content.

Tailor your showreel

The judges want to see your best moments – the better your showreel, the more our panel gets to feel the magic you create. Your showreel is your chance to really show off – to demonstrate the brilliance of your podcast in ways the written entry form never could. So make sure you spend time making sure your showreel encapsulates all your podcast has achieved, something that the judges will listen to once and not forget.

Don’t forget to tailor the showreel to the award you are entering for. If it’s best comedy moment, the judges need to see the moment that will make them laugh the most. If it’s best interview, we need to see the moments that made the interview so impactful. For best presenter, use the showreel to demonstrate what makes your lead voice truly unique in political podcasting.

Why that award?

We have nine amazing award categories – representing the vast and varied contribution podcasts make to our political landscape. Each category is a unique opportunity to showcase what your pod has to offer. So think carefully – what is it about your podcast that’s unique, that makes you stand out from the crowd?

You’re lucky enough to have a game-changing format or a rockstar presenter? Think you had a particular moment or episode that was funnier, more shocking or more impactful than anything else you’ve seen? Or want to highlight the extra-special work of someone behind the scenes, who has played their own part in changing political podcasting in the UK? If any of those things sound true, our judges want to hear about it.

Don’t forget that our judges take each category in isolation – so tailor your entries and really think about which category your podcast has the best chance of winning. You are welcome to apply for as many categories as you like, but remember to tailor each entry to the specific award you want it to be considered for.

Award Categories

BEST NEWCOMER 
There’s been an explosion of great new innovative political podcasts in the last year. This award will go to the podcast judges think has broken ground and stood apart from the other new kids on the block in the last year. 

COMEDY MOMENT OF THE YEAR  
Politics doesn’t have to be serious all the time! This award is for the event or segment that got the audience smiling. 

INDEPENDENT PODCAST OF THE YEAR 
A brand-new award this year, the Independent Podcast award celebrates the extraordinary contributions of political podcasts from beyond the Westminster bubble. We’re calling on self-starters, student podcasts and underdogs taking on the mainstream media to prove that outstanding audio content can come from anywhere, all across the United Kingdom.  

INTERVIEW OF THE YEAR 
This award is for the most impactful podcast interview of the year – one that grabbed attention and made everyone sit up and notice.  

MOST ORIGINAL FORMAT 
This award is for the political podcast format judges feel really stands apart from the competition, engaging its audience and offering something genuinely different. 

PRESENTER OF THE YEAR 
Political podcasts would be nothing without the brilliant political journalists, commentators, and political figures who front them. This award is for the presenter, or presenting team, going above and beyond to engage, entertain and inform their audience – building a loyal following along the way.  

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR 
Behind every great podcast is a great producer. Whether getting great guests or keeping the show on the road, this award is for the producer judges to believe has been integral to the success of their podcast and consistently produced excellence. 

RISING STAR 
Whilst many political podcasts are hosted by senior journalists and well-known politicians, this award goes to the up-and-coming political podcaster who’s shown mastery of their medium in the last year. 

STORY OF THE YEAR 
This award is for the most jaw-dropping, eye-catching, headline-grabbing story emerging from a political podcast over the last year, celebrating podcasting’s unique contribution to investigative journalism. 

From these nine separate categories, the judges will decide on an overall Podcast of the Year – a special recognition of those who have truly taken political podcasting by storm in the past twelve months.

Submission Process

The Political Podcast Awards 2027 is free to enter.

Please first complete the entry form. Upon submission, you will receive an automated email with details on how to send your accompanying logo and video content.

The awards organisers will attempt to confirm the receipt of entries by email but reserve the right to withdraw this commitment should a high volume of entries mean it is impractical to do so.

Copyright Notice: The Political Podcast Awards organisers may use, at their discretion, video content submitted by entrants for promotional materials. All video content will be credited to the entrant. By submitting video content, the entrant waives all copyrights and fees for the use of said content by the Political Podcast Awards.

Questions?

If you have any questions please email PoliticalPodcastAwards@inhouse.london