The Peabody Awards will return to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles on June 1, 2025, marking 85 years of honoring powerful storytelling that reflects social issues and amplifies emerging voices. The ceremony will celebrate excellence across a range of categories, including entertainment, documentary, news, podcast/radio, arts, children’s programming, immersive and interactive media, and public service.
Continuing to establish itself as the premier honor for media that matters, the Peabody Awards emphasizes the transformative power of stories to unite, inspire, and illuminate. Jeffrey Jones, Executive Director of Peabody, reflected on the ceremony’s enduring relevance: “In such polarized times, the stories Peabody honors are unifying in their clear call to address injustices and see humanity in all its beauty and messiness.”
As Peabody prepares for its milestone event, it also welcomes fresh leadership and perspectives to its prestigious Board of Jurors. This year, four distinguished members join the board, bringing with them a wealth of experience and insight:
- Cynthia McFadden: An award-winning journalist with a four-decade career, McFadden has received numerous honors, including two Peabody Awards, for her impactful investigative work and global reporting.
- Daniel D’Addario: The Chief Correspondent at Variety and a key moderator in the magazine’s “Actors on Actors” series, D’Addario has earned accolades for his political commentary and feature writing.
- Roxana Hadadi: A television critic for Vulture known for her thought-provoking work on feminism, labor, and representation in media, with bylines in outlets such as RogerEbert.com and The Los Angeles Times.
- Michael X. Delli Carpini: An academic leader specializing in the role of media in democracy, Delli Carpini brings decades of research experience on how communication technologies shape public opinion and participation.
These new voices will join returning jurors, chaired by Dr. Dana Heller, Dean of the College of Arts at Eastern Michigan University, to ensure Peabody continues to reflect the best in storytelling.
The Peabody Awards’ storied history includes recognizing some of the most groundbreaking and beloved programs, such as “The Wire,” “Breaking Bad,” “Chernobyl,” and “Bluey.” Its categories have evolved over time to honor innovative storytelling across platforms, including immersive and interactive media, which debuted in 2021. This ability to adapt to the shifting landscape has been instrumental in maintaining its position as a standard-bearer in the industry.
Ron Nyswaner, creator of Showtime’s “Fellow Travelers,” expressed the profound impact of being recognized by Peabody. “Receiving the Peabody Award was a career highlight,” he shared. “It inspires me to defy the algorithm-driven demands of the business, igniting in audiences the realization that we are all part of the same thrilling and terrifying adventure of being human.”
Produced by Bob Bain Productions, the 2025 Peabody Awards builds on the success of last year’s Los Angeles debut. Nominees will be announced in April, with winners revealed in May. Founded in 1940, the Peabody Awards is the longest-running honor of its kind, celebrating stories that matter and amplifying voices that push for truth, justice, and equity. For more information, visit peabodyawards.com.