Podcasts now reach millions of listeners in Germany, shaping pop culture, driving social debate, and forming an integral part of modern media and brand strategies. With the German Podcast Award, to be presented on May 13, 2026 at the rbb Radio Hall in Berlin in front of 750 invited guests, the German-language podcast scene is given a central stage for recognition, visibility, and exchange.
We Are Era conceives and hosts the German Podcast Award as a holistic industry event, overseeing visual design, strategic direction, concept development, production, and the overall execution of the award ceremony.
The goal is to reflect the creative diversity and professional depth of the German podcast market and to honor both the well-known voices and the people behind the formats. Alongside the faces of successful podcasts, the creative and technical achievements behind the productions will also be recognized. These include authors, editors, producers, and other creative talents, for example in categories such as “Best Sound Design” or “Script.”
At the launch of the German Podcast Award, We Are Era has already gained the trust of renowned industry leaders. Confirmed partners include Amazon Music, Spotify, RTL+, ARD, Deutschlandfunk, SevenOne Audio, Acast, and Podimo.
“Podcasts have long been one of the most defining media formats of our time. They can entertain, inform, and convey values – and hardly any other medium creates such intimacy as a voice directly in your ear. For us, communities are at the heart of everything: communities formed around shared values that define the zeitgeist far beyond digital spaces. That is why we are constantly expanding our live and event portfolio. With formats such as the VideoDays Festival and now the German Podcast Award, we are able to help shape two of the central stages of pop culture. Above all, we feel honored to give podcasts, their creators, and their communities the visibility they deserve,” says Tobias Schiwek, CEO of We Are Era, the event organizer.
The 22 categories for the 2026 award ceremony will be announced in February. At the same time, the public submission phase will begin, allowing podcast creators, producers, creators, media companies, agencies, and brands to apply free of charge in the respective categories. Interested parties can sign up for the newsletter and follow updates on the landing page at https://www.deutscherpodcastaward.com/.
A high-profile jury of experts from the podcast and media industry, as well as from society and culture, will select the most outstanding talents. The jury will be announced at the start of the submission phase. In selected categories, community power will decide:
Listeners and communities will be able to vote publicly for their favorites and support them on their way to victory in the respective categories.
By hosting the German Podcast Award, We Are Era expands its live and event portfolio with another prestigious brand. The company’s portfolio already includes live formats such as the VideoDays Festival and the Kings League Germany in Cologne, as well as the YouTube Festival in Amsterdam.
