NY Festivals Names 2026 Radio Awards Grand Jury

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, December 5, 2025 | 3:42pm CT

New York Festivals Radio Awards

The New York Festivals Radio Awards has unveiled its 2026 Grand Jury, assembling more than 100 leading audio creators and industry innovators from 20 countries. The diverse panel reflects the evolution of global audio storytelling, spanning documentary, entertainment, news, sports, corporate audio, audiobooks, and both audio and video podcasting.

This year's jurors include producers, journalists, writers, directors, and sound artists representing major broadcasters, digital platforms, and production studios worldwide. Participating organizations include SiriusXM Radio, BBC Radio, CBC/Radio-Canada, Penguin Random House UK, Radio New Zealand, SBS, The Times & Sunday Times, Mediacorp, Radio Taiwan International, Hot 102.7 FM, Almost Tangible, Nine Network Australia, and many others.

"The robust world of audio storytelling today is fully represented in the 2026 edition of the Grand Jury," said Rose Anderson, Executive Vice President of New York Festivals. "From audiobooks to podcasts and video podcasts, from investigative journalism to live events, and from mystery to social justice, this year's men and women of the jury volunteer their time and lend their expertise."

Jurors will evaluate entries across key criteria such as production quality, creative execution, writing, direction, content presentation, and audience relevance. NYF has honored excellence in global audio content for 69 years, recognizing standout work from radio stations, networks, and independent creators in more than 30 countries.

Since 2023, the National Press Club has partnered with NYF to recognize the highest-scoring news program across several journalism categories. The winner of that honor will be announced at the 2026 Storytellers Gala on May 21, 2026.

Winners of the 2026 competition will be showcased in NYF's Radio Awards gallery. The entry deadline is January 31, 2026.

The 2026 Radio Awards Grand Jury includes:

• Jill Achineku, Producer, Whistledown, United Kingdom
• Steve Ahern, OAM, Publisher, Radioinfo & Radio Today, Australia
• Chris Browning-Brant, Lead Podcast Editor, Formula 1, United Kingdom
• Diego Cannizzaro, Owner & Director, DMC Studio, Argentina
• John N. Catlett, Broadcast Consultant, Media Objectives International, USA
• Jennie Cataldo, Owner & Producer, Accompany Studios, USA
• Jax Coombes, Producer, BBC, United Kingdom
• Stuart Davies, Content Manager, Virgin Radio UK, United Kingdom
• Joni Deutsch, SVP of Marketing & Audience Development, The Podglomerate, USA
• Rebecca Fortuin, Senior Audio Editor, HQ, M&B and Farshore, HarperCollins Publishers UK, United Kingdom
• Dylan Haskins, Commissioning Executive for Podcasts, BBC Sounds & BBC Radio 5 Live, United Kingdom
• Nora Holm, Producer, Swedish Radio, Sweden
• Adrian Hollay, Senior Recording Engineer, Radio New Zealand, New Zealand
• Iris Hsu, Radio Producer, Radio Taiwan International, Taiwan
• Hyun Joon Jang, Programming & Production / Senior Producer, Busan English Broadcasting. South Korea
• James Keyte, Head of Audio Content, Penguin Random House UK, United Kingdom
• Genevieve Levasseur, Senior Director, ICI MUSIQUE, CBC/Radio-Canada, Canada
• Steve Levine, Founder, Magnum Opus Broadcasting, United Kingdom
• Or Matza, Creative Director & Founder, Audio Drama Studios, Israel
• Lloyd Madurai, Programming & Managing Director, Hot 102.7 FM, South Africa
• Siobhan McHugh, Podcast Producer & Academic, Australia
• Charlotte Melen, Founder, Producer, Actor, Almost Tangible, United Kingdom
• Eduardo Morino, Presenter, Radio Mitre S.A., Argentina
• Greg Muller, Supervising Producer, The Case of Podcast, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Australia
• Gotz Naleppa, Drama Director & Sound Artist, Naleppa Audio Productions, Germany
• Anurita Patel, National Programming Head, Radio City, India
• Will Roe, Executive Producer, Investigations - The Times and Sunday Times, United Kingdom
• Des Shaw, Co-Founder/Producer, Zinc Media, United Kingdom
• Helen Shaw, Founder, Athena Media, Ireland
• Lou Simon, Vice President, Music Programming, SiriusXM Radio, USA
• Ken Sweeney, Showbiz Editor, The Irish Sun, Ireland
• Mark Travis, Managing Consultant, Media Production, New York Philharmonic, USA
• Joan Webber, Senior Producer, Audio Documentary Unit, CBC, Canada
• Carol Zimmer, Journalist & Host, "Now What?", USA