AceShowbiz - The 86th Annual Peabody Awards have revealed their 34 distinguished winners for 2026, showcasing exceptional achievements across entertainment, documentary, news, podcasts, and digital media.

Among the celebrated works, the television series Heated Rivalry, The Pitt, and the documentary Pluribus stood out, reflecting the Peabody mission to recognize storytelling that profoundly impacts culture and society. The awards highlight a diverse range of topics—from social justice and human rights to personal narratives and investigative journalism.

HBO led the networks with six wins, securing three awards in the documentary category for The Alabama Solution, Pee-wee as Himself, and Thoughts and Prayers. In addition, HBO’s television series Heated Rivalry, The Pitt, and The Rehearsal each received Peabody recognition. Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, and PBS each earned two awards, tying for second place among networks.

Jeffrey P. Jones, executive director of the Peabody Awards, emphasized the significance of this year’s winners, stating, "The winners of the 86th annual Peabody Awards reflect Peabody's mission to honor storytelling that has the potential to change culture, whether it's examining the destructive tactics of ICE, viewing terminal illness through a deeply personal lens, or resisting attempts to stifle free speech." He expressed enthusiasm for celebrating these impactful works at the upcoming ceremony.

The selection process for this year’s Peabody Awards involved a unanimous vote from a panel of 28 jurors who reviewed over 1,000 submissions across various categories. These categories included television, podcasts and radio, web content, arts, children/youth programming, public service, and interactive/immersive media.

The prestigious ceremony is scheduled for May 31 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Several special honorees will be recognized during the event, including Amy Poehler, who will receive the Peabody Career Achievement Award. Additionally, Sterlin Harjo will be honored with the Peabody Trailblazer Award, James L. Brooks will receive the inaugural Industry Icon Award, and PBS Kids will be celebrated with the Industry Award.

News and investigative journalism made a powerful impact in this year’s awards. Al Jazeera English’s Fault Lines was recognized for two compelling pieces: Kids Under Fire and The Disappearance of Dr. Abu Safiya. These reports documented the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following Dr. Mimi Syed’s work treating children wounded in conflict and the harrowing detention of Dr. Abu Safiya under harsh conditions, including reports of torture, as noted by the United Nations.

PBS News Hour earned recognition for its deep coverage of the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to U.S. immigration policies. Their reporting covered a wide range of issues such as birthright citizenship, refugee resettlement, asylum procedures, mass deportations, and militarized responses in American cities. The program combined breaking news with in-depth analysis, policy scrutiny, and real-life impacts.

ABC News and its Los Angeles affiliate KABC provided vital reporting on the catastrophic fires that devastated parts of Los Angeles in January 2025. Despite many reporters facing personal evacuation and some losing their homes, their on-the-ground coverage helped residents make critical decisions about evacuation and return. Their ongoing reports also addressed themes of preparedness, environmental justice, infrastructure, and the fires’ long-term effects.

KMBC 9’s investigative report Restrained uncovered alarming misuse of restraint chairs by law enforcement across 29 states, revealing at least 102 deaths or injuries linked to excessive force, including beatings and tasings of restrained inmates. This investigation prompted policy changes by over 50 sheriffs in Missouri and Kansas and led the National Institute for Jail Operations to recommend the findings for national training programs aimed at reforming restraint practices in correctional facilities.

The Rise and Fall of Terrorgram, a documentary produced by FRONTLINE (PBS) and ProPublica, examined the radicalization of youth by extremist online communities. The film highlighted how unregulated internet spaces foster hate and violence, exposing the methods extremist groups use to recruit and incite terror rooted in racism, antisemitism, and homophobia.

Podcast and radio programming also featured prominently in this year’s Peabody winners. The ten-part audio documentary Divine Intervention showcased the radical Catholic left’s resistance during the Vietnam War, focusing on nuns and priests who opposed the FBI and established the first political sanctuary in centuries. Host Brendan Patrick Hughes explored themes of faith, rebellion, and social activism through personal stories and courtroom battles.

Documentaries were strongly represented among the Peabody winners. The HBO film The Alabama Solution provided a rare inside look at an Alabama prison revival meeting in 2019. What began as a six-year investigation uncovered systemic corruption, violence, and neglect in the state’s prison system. The documentary followed incarcerated activists Robert Earl Council and Melvin Ray as they exposed brutal prison conditions and high mortality rates, pressing for transparency and justice in a secretive system.

Other notable winners across categories include impactful programs and documentaries that tackle pressing social issues, personal human stories, and artistic achievements, all contributing to the Peabody Awards’ legacy of honoring storytelling that shapes public discourse and cultural understanding.

As the 86th Annual Peabody Awards ceremony approaches, attention will focus on celebrating the outstanding creators, journalists, and visionaries whose work has earned this prestigious recognition. The event promises to highlight the power of media and storytelling to illuminate, challenge, and inspire audiences worldwide.