2020 Australian Podcast Awards announce changes & new dates

Tony Martin at the 2018 Awards

The Australian Podcast Awards have announced a host of changes as they return for the fourth edition in 2020.

The awards will no longer take place in May, and have been moved to a date in November.

The date has been changed to accommodate entries through to the end of July, 2020, and as a reflection of the growing Aussie podcast sector.

“As we enter our fourth year, it’s clear that podcasting still has plenty of room to grow – and so we’ll be delivering an even bigger ceremony and want to be even more representative of Australia’s audio maker,” said founder Dave Gertler.

This year there is an expanded independent panel of judges, headed up by a chair of judges for the first time. Host of Not By Accident Sophie Harper joins as the chair.

“The Australian Podcast Awards has quickly become one of my favourite nights of the year,” she said.

It’s an opportunity to recognise, and importantly, to discover the incredible, world-class work being produced in Australia and listened to here and around the world.

“I can’t wait to hear more of what’s been produced this past year, and to work closely with a diverse and diligent panel of judges to make sure we can celebrate the very best of Australian podcasting across every category.”

In 2020, there’ll also be a new Listeners Choice category in addition to a range of judged categories, allowing Aussies to vote for their favourite podcast.

Representatives from ABC Audio Studios, Acast, Triton Digital and Whooshkaa celebrated the move to a bigger and more inclusive Australian Podcast Awards.

“The awards place Australian story-telling and production values on the world stage,” said ABC’s Kellie Riordan.

“The awards have become a significant event for the Australian podcast community and it’s incredibly inspiring to see independently produced content celebrated on the same terms as content produced by publishers,” added Acast ANZ content director Guy Scott-Wilson.

Sharon Taylor, MD at Triton Digital said; “We look forward to once again recognizing and celebrating the diverse array of creators and engaging content that has meaningfully contributed to the growth of the industry in Australia.”

“The Australian Podcast Awards provide vital recognition and encouragement to the creators behind the content we love,” praised Whooskaa’s CEO Robert Lowenthal.