Golden Globes’ Podcast Debut Met With Skepticism Over Fees, Fairness.

Theo Von helms one of the 25 shows that the Golden Globes says are eligible to win its inaugural Best Podcast of the Year award, but the host says he has “no interest” in making a play for the trophy. Von’s team says it will not be writing the required $500 fee and submitting his show for consideration.

“I am honored Theo is mentioned by the Golden Globes but I have no interest in engaging with them or commenting,” Von’s manager John Shahidi tells The Ankler’s Natalie Jarvey.

It is the latest in what appears to be a turning tide of enthusiasm for the embrace of podcasting by the organizers of the Golden Globes. The industry at first celebrated when it was announced in May that the high-profile awards would honor podcasters when its trophies are handed out on Jan. 11 on CBS-TV.

But ever since Penske Media Corp., which owns the Golden Globes, announced earlier this month which of the top 25 shows will be eligible, criticism has mounted. The list of eligible shows was determined by the Globes’ data partner, Luminate. But some podcasters have said the list doesn’t accurately showcase the industry’s creative diversity. Others have slammed the number of conservative podcasts that made the cut.

Adding fuel to that backlash has been a pitch made by Penske Media to eligible podcasters. It suggested shows that are up for the award spend $25,000 to become a sponsor at its Podcasting FYC (For Your Consideration) Fest, which comes with a full-page ad in the Hollywood trade “Variety.” For podcasters that cough up $75,000, they will be presented with a Creative Impact Award in Podcasting by the magazine.

Jarvey says those rates are comparable to what Globe organizers charge film and television producers but adds it might not be worth it for a podcaster to spend that money when they rely on a more personal connection with their listeners. “The only podcasters who would agree are either already Hollywood actors or they’re the podcasters who are desperate for Hollywood acceptance,” one rep told the site.

Several podcasters have also questioned the use of Luminate to select the shows. “I’d honestly never heard of Luminate,” one podcast executive tells The Ankler. It also reports that the list of potential nominees that was announced this month was in fact the second list compiled after the company initially failed to include several top shows. such as Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy,” “Armchair Expert with Dax Shephard” and “SmartLess” from actors Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes.

“This is the list a friend who works in TV would have made,” one podcaster said. And despite the late additions, other popular shows remain missing, such as “New Heights,” “This American Life” and “The Breakfast Club” and “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.”

Yet for all the critiques, some podcast companies are said to be embracing the Globes. The Ankler says Spotify and The Daily Wire are both believed to be making a play for the award. Which others will become clear in the coming months. Shows on that list must now submit content by Oct. 31 to be considered by the judges, with a total of six final nominations for the category set to be announced Dec. 8.