NY Festivals Opens 2026 Radio Awards for Entries
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 3:39pm CT |
|
 NYF Open For Entries 2026 |
The New York Festivals (NYF) 2026 Radio Awards are now open for submissions, continuing a nearly seven-decade tradition of honoring creative excellence in global audio storytelling.
Launched in 1957, the competition recognizes innovation across every audio genre and platform. For 2026, entries are welcomed in 14 category groups, spanning News Programs, Documentaries, Talk Programs, On-Air Talent, Craft, and Entertainment. Specialized categories highlight Digital, Podcast, and Audio Book content, while Programming Formats and Promotion/Open & ID showcase the creative standards of radio.
Reflecting the industry's rapid evolution, the Radio Awards have introduced a new category this year: Video Podcast, acknowledging the growing influence of visual storytelling in audio-driven media.
"For nearly seven decades, NYF's Radio Awards has championed the art of storytelling across every platform," said Rose Anderson, Executive VP & Executive Director of New York Festivals Radio Awards. "Each year we're inspired by the creativity and innovation that push audio forward, and with the addition of new categories like Video Podcast, we're proud to continue celebrating the evolving ways storytellers connect with audiences worldwide."
The competition continues its partnerships with organizations that emphasize the societal role of storytelling. JusticeAid collaborates with NYF to honor creators whose work in investigative journalism, nonfiction series, and social justice content highlights individual actions and resilience. The National Press Club Award, established in 2023, recognizes the top-scoring news program across Breaking News, Continuing Coverage, Nonfiction Series, and News Podcast categories. Last year, Master Plan (The Lever) received the award for investigative journalism.
The 2025 Storytellers Gala was held virtually from Central Park on May 22, showcasing winning entries and acceptance speeches from around the globe. The 2026 Storytellers Gala will take place in May, 2026.
