Ambies Awards: These are the best podcasts of 2020
The Podcast Academy handed out last weekend the Ambies Awards, its first bid to establish an Oscars-level awards program for audio programming.
The first Ambies featured awards in 23 categories, with Wondery’s “Dying for Sex,” documenting the sexual adventures of a woman diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer, winning the award for podcast of the year.
“Wind of Change” was the night’s top winner, taking home three awards, including best host, best reporting and best nonfiction scriptwriting.
The Podcast Academy formed in early 2020, aiming to create an awards show for podcasts voted on using a system similar to the Oscars and Emmys.
Here’s the full list of 2020 Ambies awards winners:
Podcast of the Year
Dying for Sex (Wondery)
Best Business Podcast
The Heist (Center for Public Integrity)
Best Comedy Podcast
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend (Team Coco, Earwolf)
Best Documentary Podcast
I’m Not A Monster (BBC Sounds, Panorama, Frontline PBS)
Best Entertainment Podcast
Even the Rich (Wondery)
Best Fiction Podcast
Blood Ties, Season 2 (Wondery)
Best History Podcast
Driving the Green Book (Macmillan Podcasts)
Best Interview Podcast
Death, Sex & Money (WNYC Studios)
Best Knowledge, Science or Tech Podcast
Short Wave (NPR)
Best News Podcast
Today, Explained (Vox Media Podcast Network
Best Original Score and Music Supervision
Jacked: Rise of New Jack Sound – Marcelino Villalpando (Wondery, Universal Music Group)
Best Performer in Audio Fiction
The Left Right Game – Tessa Thompson (QCode)
Best Personal Growth / Spirituality Podcast
On Being with Krista Tippett (On Being Studios)
Best Podcast Host
Wind of Change – Patrick Radden Keefe (Pineapple Street Studios, Crooked Media, Spotify)
Best Politics or Opinion Podcast
Gaining Ground: The New Georgia (Tenderfoot TV, Crooked Media)
Best Production and Sound Design
The Left Right Game – Ryan Walsh, Matt Yocum, Will Files, Ryan Sullivan (QCode)
Best Reporting
Wind of Change – Patrick Radden Keefe (Pineapple Street Studios, Crooked Media, Spotify)
Best Scriptwriting, Fiction
Dirty Diana – Shana Feste, Jen Besser (QCode)
Best Scriptwriting, Nonfiction
Wind of Change – Patrick Radden Keefe (Pineapple Street Studios, Crooked Media, Spotify)
Best Society and Culture Podcast
Code Switch (NPR)
Best Sports Podcast
Whistleblower (Tenderfoot TV & Whistleblower Media)
Best True Crime Podcast
Dr. Death Season 2: Dr. Fata (Wondery)
Best Wellness or Relationships Podcast
Therapy for Black Girls (iHeartRadio)
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