NAB Announces Finalists For 2026 Marconi Radio Awards.

The National Association of Broadcasters recently unveiled the finalists for the 2026 Marconi Radio Awards. This event recognizes excellence across the industry, covering stations, individual on-air personalities, podcasts, and leadership. The winners will receive their honors during a dinner program on October 20 at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.

The announcement arrived via a livestream hosted by Toby Knapp and Chilli Amar from Washington, DC. These awards, which began in 1989, carry the name of Guglielmo Marconi and represent the highest professional standard for radio broadcasters in the United States.

Competition is heavy across several categories, including Legendary Station of the Year, Network Personality of the Year, and various format-specific awards ranging from News/Talk to Sports and Urban radio. Stations from cities like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York represent a large portion of the major market nominees, though community-focused broadcasters in smaller markets also earned recognition.

The ceremony serves as a kickoff for the annual NAB Show New York. Industry professionals gather at this event to celebrate the performers and managers who maintain the relevance of radio in a changing media environment. Organizations such as Xperi support the dinner program, which provides a rare moment for the broadcast community to congregate and assess the current state of audio production.

Finalists span across twenty-three distinct categories. This list includes recognition for podcast efforts, reflecting the shift in how stations now distribute audio content to their audiences. You can view the full list of nominees on the official industry portal as the industry prepares for the October event in New York.