Last week, the nominees for the 2026 Webby Awards were announced, and the iHeart Podcast team earned 22 nominations, more than double the number received by any other network.

In an awards ecosystem known for its selectivity and creative rigor, that level of recognition is more than a headline. It is a marker of where digital storytelling is headed, and what brands should be paying attention to next.

The Webby Awards have long served as a cultural compass for the internet, honoring work that combines originality, execution, and impact across rapidly evolving platforms. In a landscape where attention is fragmented and algorithms increasingly shape discovery, recognition at this scale points to something deeper than momentum. It emphasizes a creative philosophy that values experimentation, audience intimacy, and relevance over short term efficiency.

Scale isn’t the only story

iHeart operates at unmatched scale in audio, spanning podcasts, radio, streaming, and live experiences that touch millions of listeners daily. 

But since the Webbys reward individual pieces of work, not distribution, what makes this moment notable is the intersection of scale AND craft. Many platforms grow by standardizing what works. Formats solidify, creative risks shrink, and content becomes optimized rather than expressive. The iHeart Webby nominations tell a different story. They suggest that with the right creative infrastructure, scale can amplify originality rather than dilute it.

This is a timely reminder that growth doesn’t have to and shouldn’t come at the expense of creative ambition.

Proof points across genres and audiences

The range of iHeart’s nominated shows highlights how broad storytelling can be when creators are empowered to take risks.

In the comedy category, Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang continues to blend irreverence with sharp cultural insight, proving that personality-driven formats still thrive when hosts genuinely understand their audience.

On the scripted end of the spectrum, Buzz reimagines the story of Buzz Aldrin with urgency and psychological depth. Starring John Lithgow, the series demonstrates how audio can carry cinematic weight, bringing historical narrative and emotional realism together in a way few formats can.

New voices are also being elevated though Webby Awards nominations. What Are We Even Doing? with Kyle MacLachlan, nominated for Best New Podcast, brings together generational perspectives on creativity, culture, and life in entertainment. The show reflects on how established talent can connect with younger audiences by leaning into curiosity rather than authority.

Partnerships remain another creative unlock for the iHeart Podcast team. Two Guys, Five Rings: Matt, Bowen & the Olympics, a collaboration with NBC Sports, shows how brands and creators can co-create experiences that feel additive rather than transactional.

And across genres like crime, public service, and sports, shows such as Wisecrack, We The Unhoused, and All the Smoke illustrate audio’s ability to move fluidly between entertainment, impact, and community.

How these nominations could impact your business 

Awards matter because they define what excellence looks like in a given moment. This year’s Webby Awards nominations reinforce several truths that marketers across industries can act on.

• Originality still wins.
• Audiences reward work that feels human, surprising, and specific.
• Cultural relevance comes from listening.

The most celebrated digital experiences are built from a deep understanding of how people actually live, talk, and connect. Creative investment compounds. And platforms that trust creators and fund experimentation tend to build brands that last, not just metrics that spike.

Stay engaged and vote, vote, vote!

Public voting for the Webby Awards is now open! Below is the full list of iHeart nominees and honorees for the 2026 Webby Awards:

Nominees:

• “Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang,” Shows, Comedy
• “Buzz,” Shows, Scripted (Fiction)
• “Stuff You Missed in History Class,” Shows, History
• “Silver Linings with the Old Gays,” Creator, General Creator (Podcast)
• Jay Shetty, Creator, General Creator (Podcasts)
• “Next Question with Katie Couric,” Features, Best Host
• “On Purpose with Jay Shetty,” Features, Best Live Podcast Recording
• “What Are We Even Doing? with Kyle MacLachlan,” Features, Best New Podcast (Entertainment & Culture)
• “Two Guys, Five Rings: Matt, Bowen & the Olympics,” Features, Best Partnership or Collaboration
• “This Is Gavin Newsom,” Features, Best Video Podcast Host
• “Behind the Bastards,” Features, Experimental & Innovation
• “Wisecrack,” Individual Episode (Comedy) and Limited Series & Specials (Crime & Justice)
• “Crook County,” Limited Series & Specials, Documentary
• “It Could Happen Here,” Limited Series & Specials, News & Politics
• “The Set Up,” Limited Series & Specials, Scripted (Fiction)
• “Bone Valley: Graves County,” Shows, Crime & Justice
• “Levittown,” Shows, Documentary
• “Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim,” Shows, Interview or Talk Show (Entertainment & Culture)
• “Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club,” Shows, Lifestyle
• “We The Unhoused,” Shows, Public Service & Activism
• “All the Smoke,” Shows, Sports

Honorees:

• “Silver Linings with the Old Gays,” Best Co-Hosts
• “On Purpose with Jay Shetty,” Best Host and Interview or Talk Show (Entertainment & Culture)
• “Bone Valley: Jeremy,” Best Series
• “Obscurum,” Individual Episode (Documentary)
• “Ruthie's Table 4,” Individual Episode (Interview or Talk Show)
• “This Is Gavin Newsom,” Individual Episode (Interview or Talk Show)
• “Smart Talks with IBM,” Business

Final thoughts

For marketers looking ahead, the takeaway isn’t to chase trophies. Instead, when creative ambition, audience insight, and scale align, recognition for your brand happens naturally.

Cast your vote and support the full slate of iHeart Webby Awards nominees at vote.webbyawards.com.