Podnews Daily - podcast industry news

The podcast awards that aren’t all they seem

Jan 22, 2026
An intriguing investigation reveals that the International Podcast Awards may be more about appearance than authenticity, featuring misleading images and fabricated winners. The Ambie Awards nominations are out, showcasing a diverse range of 227 nominees, while Spotify reports a surge in podcast discovery, with 34 million shows found weekly. Additionally, auto-generated chapters are being rolled out across platforms, enhancing user experience. Insights on podcasting's impact on public policy and updates on upcoming shows add to the excitement in the podcast landscape.
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INSIGHT

Award Website Image Masks Problems

  • The International Podcast Awards has a polished public image but questionable substance behind it.
  • Podnews found misleading images, fabricated winners and a business model that raised red flags.
INSIGHT

Ambie Nominees And Ceremony Details

  • The Ambie Awards announced 227 nominees across 32 categories for selection by the Podcast Academy membership.
  • The ceremony will be held during On Air Fest in Brooklyn on February 23rd.
INSIGHT

Auto Chapters Rolling Out Industry-Wide

  • Spotify is rolling out auto-generated chapters to more shows, matching recent moves by Apple Podcasts.
  • Platform-driven features for navigation are becoming standard across directories.
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