AudioUK has opened entries for its sixteenth annual Audio Production Awards, known as the APAs, featuring the largest category expansion in the awards’ history with six new and restructured categories recognizing excellence across podcasts, audiobooks, radio and sound design in the United Kingdom.
Entry opened July 1, 2026, with submissions accepted through September 16, 2026, at 2 p.m. local time. Audible returns as headline sponsor for the awards program, which will culminate with an awards ceremony November 26, 2026, at the BFI in London. AudioUK, the industry body advancing the UK podcast and audio sector, oversees the APAs with support from Amazon Music, which funds a Pay What You Can entry scheme for financially constrained applicants.
Six new or significantly revised categories join the 30-category lineup for 2026: Executive Producer of the Year, International Breakthrough Award, Experimental Sound Design, and Best Use of Video debut as new awards, while Non-Fiction Audiobook and Ensemble Cast transition to standalone categories from previous combined groupings. The expanded slate reflects growing diversity in audio production spanning comedy, factual documentary, audio drama, arts and culture, music, entertainment, lifestyle and society, true crime, history and sound design, alongside on-microphone and emerging talent categories.
“The APAs have always been one of the highlights of the industry calendar for me,” said Chris Baughen, chief executive officer of AudioUK. “What has always struck me is the genuine sense of community in the room. The APAs celebrate the people behind the podcasts, audiobooks and radio we all love: the producers, editors, sound designers, presenters, writers and teams whose creativity brings great ideas to life. They reflect everything that makes our industry special: outstanding creativity, collaboration, innovation and a shared passion for great storytelling.” Baughen added that Amazon Music’s continued support of the accessibility scheme ensures entries remain affordable for producers facing financial barriers.
The awards recognize both individual producers and teams working closely together, acknowledging that many audio productions involve collaborative work that cannot be attributed to a single person. The Kids Content category, which returns for 2026, will again be judged by its target audience—children themselves—reflecting the growth in audio and podcast content created for younger listeners. Awards also honor leadership through categories including Producer of the Year, the newly introduced Executive Producer of the Year, Production Company of the Year, and Publisher or Network of the Year.
Early bird entry fees run through August 30, 2026, with AudioUK members paying 50 pounds plus value-added tax and non-members paying 60 pounds plus VAT. Standard entry fees of 60 pounds plus VAT for members and 70 pounds plus VAT for non-members apply from August 31 through the final deadline. AudioUK noted that no extension will be granted beyond the September 16 deadline. The shortlist will be announced October 26, 2026, with award winners published November 26 following the awards ceremony.
For podcast producers, audio engineers and media companies across the United Kingdom, the APAs represent the industry’s primary recognition event, drawing entries from independent creators, production companies, streaming platforms and traditional broadcasters. The expansion of categories signals industry growth in specialized audio production areas including experimental sound design and video integration, reflecting convergence between audio and visual media formats. The addition of an International Breakthrough Award category also indicates AudioUK’s growing attention to cross-border audio production and emerging talent from outside the UK market. The inclusion of accessibility through the Pay What You Can scheme demonstrates commitment to ensuring the awards remain open to emerging and independent producers regardless of financial resources. Industry professionals can access full category descriptions, eligibility criteria and entry details at theapas.co.uk.
Source: Audiouk — Read the original article →
