Golden Globes podcast category torn down as ‘money grab’ as controversy continues: ‘Out of control’

In the words of the late Nikki Finke, “Toldja!”

After page six Media insiders exclusively revealed were outraged over the new Best Podcast category for the Golden Globes — calling it a Penske Media “racket” rather than an innovation — our competitors in
Ankler, Beck, and Status have taken this into account.

The same goes for the industry in general.

Penske owns the Golden Globes as well as Hollywood franchises like Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline (which Finke previously founded).

we Reported exclusively That when the Globes recently announced its new podcast category, it said the top 25 eligible shows would be selected by a third-party data company, Luminate — which insiders were surprised to learn was also owned by Penske, when they dug further.

Now that Penske-owned Luminate has released its list of Penske-owned awards, Penske-owned companies are reaching out to podcasts with offers to launch a pricey service for your interest
Campaigns that can reach six figures.

“The Penske thing is out of control,” a source previously told Page Six, adding, “They said an outside company will (measure) the stats” to determine the top 25 podcasts, and “It’s Luminate!” Penske!”

(Non-Penske outlets like Ankler, Puck, the LA Times and others are also vying for FYC money.)

Effective immediately, potential podcast candidates must pay $500 to be considered, due by October 31. She owned a Golden Globe Award Since 2023 when it acquired the show via its Dick Clark Productions subsidiary from the wonky Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

For $5,000, nominees can upload their projects to the Golden Globes showcase. Ankler reported.

condition I mentioned that the candidates for the Wannabe Podcast Variety is approached to pay $25,000 to become a supporting partner in “Podcasting FYC Fest” (which gets you, the Golden Globes nominee, on Variety’s panel as well as Variety’s coverage, social shares and a full-page color ad in the November 11 “FYC Fest Preview.”)

The $35,000 reportedly gives the potential podcast candidate “a 15-minute personalized conversation moderated by a diverse group.”

Or, the podcast could take home the $75,000 Variety Creative Impact Award in Podcasting, which gives you a Variety feature and an honor at FYC Fest, the reports said.

A source told Page Six that podcasts that aren’t part of the top 25 are also being offered for packages. “Adding this category (podcasting) is just a money grab,” one podcasting insider told Page Six.

Either way, it looks like some podcasts won’t play ball.

The Ankler reported that the eligible podcast “This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von” would not be submitted for consideration, and that a person representing Von commented, “I am honored that Theo was mentioned by the Golden Globes but I have no interest in engaging with them or commenting.”

But when we reached out, a Penske Media representative refuted Von’s lack of involvement — and said the person who commented on Ankler does not represent the podcast host. The actor also told Page Six: “The podcast and entertainment industry remains very excited about the first-ever Golden Globe for podcasting, and nearly every eligible nominee has applied to receive recognition for their exceptional work.”

The category also raises other issues, as many of the top 25 shows eligible for consideration are hosted by right-wing hosts who despise Hollywood, from Tucker Carlson to Mergen Kelly and Candice.
Owens.

We hear Owens is on the fence about participating.

Ankler’s “Like and Subscribe” newsletter cited sources saying “The Ben Shapiro Show” is rumored to be planning a campaign. (The podcaster has not commented.)

Some popular performances were snubbed, like Travis and Jason Kelsey’s “New Heights,” which would have brought Taylor Swift to the Golden Globes again this year.

Once again, the podcast category could bring a new element — and revenue — to for-profit right-wing media outlets.

“There is no way Golden Globe voters will support” conservative podcasts, one source told us. “When the list (of nominees) comes out, watch it and it’s Amy Poehler, Dax Shepard and other Hollywood choices.” But, “if you want to go out there and honor podcasts, you can’t ignore that’s what America wants and loves.”

Ankler reported that days before Luminate’s Top 25 list debuted, the Globes “circulated a draft missing hits from popular podcasts including Alex Cooper’s ‘Call Her Daddy,’ ‘SmartLess’ from the trio of Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes, and ‘Armchair Expert’ with Dax Shephard, and Good Hang With Amy Poehler.”

But Luminate allegedly modified the list to include popular shows after “key podcast stakeholders reported the deletions,” the report said.

The showbiz newsletter also stated that the final list “was released a few days later on October 2nd, at the odd hour of 7:30 PM PT.” (Or behind the scenes, late in the day, Page Six asked for comment when the “weird” list appeared.)

Matt Bellone, Bucs player He described the whole thing as an “unfolding scandal” on his podcast, The City. And also “total”.

A Penske rep had no comment about the Variety ad packages.

We’re told that Luminate’s Top 25 eligibility list is determined by data from platforms including Apple, Spotify and YouTube, and that the company is part of a joint venture between PMC and Eldridge, and is not part of Penske’s editorial operations.

It also provides data to Billboard, another Penske outlet.