In 2024, we watched podcasts shift into a new place in the cultural consciousness. No longer commentating from the outside, podcasts are where breaking news happens. Put another way, podcasts are the new linchpins of our information ecosystem –– which means the work that you do is more vital than ever. 

What drew me to pursue a career in this medium was (and still is) the power of the human voice. When I listen to a podcast, I feel the emotions of the people on mic: their rapt attention during an interview or their giddiness to unspool a story. I am sitting right there with them.

Regardless of platform or production budget, we know that listeners are drawn to charismatic voices. Which is why this year at Signal, we are introducing new ways to honor the creators and personalities who have become synonymous with great podcasts.

New additions to Signal’s categories include separate Best Host categories in News and Politics, Culture, and Documentary to reflect the skills required of hosts in these genres to capture and move audiences. We are opening more avenues for fiction podcasts, such as Best Voice Acting. We are also expanding our categories for Video Podcasts to include Best Editing for a Video Podcast, Most Innovative Video Podcast, as well as new honors for Thought Leadership and Local News.

We also recently announced exemplary new members to our Judging Academy, whom you can learn more about at signalaward.com/judges.

Lastly, The Signal Awards is going on the road! I’ll be speaking at Podcast Movement Evolutions in Chicago in April and at Podcast Show London in May, plus making pit stops in LA, Toronto and New York and would love to meet up in person. Please reach out to my colleague Annalee Miller at annalee@signalaward.com if you would like to attend one of these events, or follow along as we share insights and observations from podcasting hubs around the world via our Newsletter, LinkedIn and social channels.

Which podcast are you and your team especially proud of making? Our Early Entry Deadline at The Signal Awards is May 9th, 2025 – you can celebrate your hard work and secure a lower entry price when you enter now at signalaward.com.

We look forward to honoring your work this year!

Jemma Rose Brown
General Manager, The Signal Awards