https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Anne-Alexander-Top-Tips-2.mp4
Head Judge, Anne Alexander, shares her top tips for nominating your podcast.
The Political Podcast Awards are open to all podcasts based in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland covering politics, with the International Podcast of the Year open globally. This includes interviews with political figures and discussion/analysis of political events.
Entries may be submitted by podcast production teams, presenters or their parent companies. Entries can be submitted for multiple categories; however, you will need to complete a separate form for each category.
Submissions close on 15th October 2025.
Entries should be no longer than 1,000 words or two sides of A4
Last year’s inaugural awards saw almost 100 podcasts enter representing a wide range of media outlets and the full spectrum of political opinion. This year’s awards are set to be bigger than ever, and the judges are expecting to see an unprecedented number of diverse and high quality entries.
The primary lesson from entries in 2025 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 2026, 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 which is engaging and interesting; and which have clearly “gone the extra mile” when providing relevant showreels and digital content.
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.
We have 9 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.
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.
The Political Podcast Awards 2026 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.
Entries will be judged virtually according to the information specified above. To choose the winners of each category in 2026, the judges will be looking for entries which clearly demonstrate why the podcast is unique in that specification. Clear evidence of the exact contributions or impact of the podcast, story, presenter, producer or moment which is being nominated is the key to an effective entry.
The decision of the judging panel will be final, and the Political Podcast Awards and its judging panel is unable to provide feedback on individual entries.
Questions?
If you have any questions please email PoliticalPodcastAwards@inhouse.london
