Nine shows on the Podomedy network have received Independent Podcast Awards nominations for 2026, picking up fourteen shortlist places across nine categories.
The Independent Podcast Awards celebrate independent podcasting across the UK and Ireland. This year, a team of 85 judges had nearly 550 entries to choose from, narrowing them down to 150 different shows across 28 categories. This yearâs winners announced at Kings Place in London on Wednesday, November 4th 2026.
It is a particularly strong year for Dexplorers and Austen After Dark, with three nominations each, while Ramon Fearâs Terror Tapes picks up two, including Best Comedy.
Damien St John, Podomedy CEO said: âFourteen nominations across nine shows is a brilliant result for Podomedy, and especially for the creators who put so much into making these shows. What I love most is the range, from comedy and horror to history, kids, artwork and music. It feels like a proper reflection of the talent across the network and our own independently-produced IP. We're excited to once again meet and be amongst fellow podcasters at the awards ceremony later this year.â
The Podomedy Shortlist for 2026
The 2026 shortlist builds on a strong run for Podomedy at the Independent Podcast Awards. In 2025, Dungeons & Dickheads won Best Gaming, while Wrestling With the Champ was Highly Commended for Best Use of Video. A year earlier, Wrestling With the Champ won Best Sport and The Dial Up took Best Fiction, giving Podomedy four wins or commendations across the past two ceremonies.
Austen After Dark joins Alex Garrick-Wright's Hail Chaos, Dexplorers and Santa Confidential as one of four award-nominated shows launched under the Podomedy umbrella since 2023.
Emma Turner, Co-Founder of the Independent Podcast Awards said: âIt has been another great year for independent podcasts. We had a record number of entries and the judges found it harder than ever to pick the shortlists, which shows how grassroots podcasting is going from strength to strength.â
The awards couldnât take place without the support of the industry sponsors, who in 2026 are the Headline Partner, YouTube; the After Party Sponsor, Acast; the event supporters Advertising Week, AudioUK, Captivate, Rusty Quill and True Fans, along with the Media Partner, Podnews.
Here is the full Podomedy shortlist for 2026:
Children & Young Adults
Dexplorers
Comedy
Austen After Dark
Limited Time Only
Ramon Fearâs Terror Tapes
Film & TV
Fetch the Smelling Salts
SpyHards
History
Dexplorers
Horror & Supernatural
Ramon Fearâs Terror Tapes
Limited Series
Austen After Dark
Podcast Artwork of the Year
Hail Chaos
Santa Confidential
Podcast Jingle of the Year
Dexplorers
Keeping the Zoo
Sex, Love & Relationships
Austen After Dark
View the full IPA shortlist for 2026: https://independentpodcastawards.com/IPA26/en/page/our-2026-shortlist
Book tickets: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/independent-podcast-awards-2026/
About the Independent Podcast Awards
The Independent Podcast Awards were launched in 2023 to recognise and celebrate independently produced podcasts from across the UK and Ireland. Now in their fourth year, the awards are designed to spotlight shows created without the backing of major publishers, brands or celebrity-led production companies, with entries judged by professionals from across the podcast industry.
Now in their fourth year, the Independent Podcast Awards were co-founded by Verbal Diorama and whynow to recognise the grassroots indie talent that wasnât getting the recognition it deserved elsewhere. Since then the awards have attracted around 2000 entries, shortlisted 600+ podcasts, and celebrated 75 winners. The class of â26 winners will be announced on Wednesday 4th November in London, and will add a further 29 podcasts to that tally.