The iHeartPodcast Awards have grown with the industry, pivoting to a virtual event during the pandemic. In 2024, the awards ceremony will not only return to a live and in-person format but it will take place on an even larger stage as iHeart has joined forces with South by Southwest to make the iHeartPodcast Awards part of the SXSW Conference and Festivals in Austin this March.
“Over the past few years, SXSW has become a dynamic and effective setting for us to host many of our interactive podcast panels, discussions and experiences. There's no better location to bring this celebratory industry event back, live and in person, than Austin at South by Southwest,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia’s Digital Audio Group. “Each year we look forward to celebrating the podcast industry’s most groundbreaking and innovative voices as the medium continues to evolve and explode,” he said in the announcement.
The 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards will also keep what has worked in the past. That includes live-streaming a video of the show via a partnership with YouTube on iHeartRadio’s YouTube Channel. The ceremony – to be held at the Fairmont Hotel on Monday, March 11 at 8pm CT – will also broadcast live on select iHeart-owned radio stations nationwide.
"This partnership showcases our commitment to celebrating creative people across the diverse world of podcasting and beyond,” said Jann Baskett, SXSW Co-President and Chief Brand Officer. "We’re thrilled to join forces with iHeartMedia to bring the iHeartPodcast Awards to Austin and amplify the incredible talent shaping the future of this dynamic medium."
The 2024 awards will honor podcasts across 29 categories including the fan-voted Podcast of the Year Award, which last year was won by Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang’s Las Culturistas.
Nominees across categories include podcasts from all creators, distributors and platforms with a judging panel composed of what iHeart says are blue-ribbon podcast industry leaders, creatives and visionaries who will determine the winners in categories including comedy, crime, news, pop culture, sports, food, business and more.
The 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards will also feature Icon Awards, which will pay tribute to creators, organizations and podcasts that have made groundbreaking industry contributions. More information including category nominees, guest hosts, celebrity appearances and more will be announced in the coming months.