The race is officially on. The National Association of Broadcasters has opened the nomination window for the 2026 Marconi Radio Awards, giving stations, personalities, and networks across the country the green light to make their case for one of radio’s most respected honors.
Entries will be accepted through May 31, with winners set to be announced October 20 during a formal gala at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. The event will once again serve as the lead-in to the NAB Show New York, which takes place October 21–22.
Named after radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi, the awards have been recognizing excellence in broadcasting since 1989. Over the years, the Marconis have evolved into a benchmark for performance, creativity, and consistency—honoring not just ratings success, but impact, innovation, and connection with audiences.
This year’s competition spans more than 20 categories, covering both national and local talent as well as station brands. Among the most closely watched: Legendary Station of the Year, Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year, and Best Radio Podcast of the Year. Format leaders will also be recognized, with categories spotlighting standout performers in areas like Classic Hits, News/Talk, and Spanish Language programming.
The process remains rooted in peer evaluation. An independent panel of broadcasters will review submissions and determine finalists, which are expected to be announced later this summer. From there, the industry’s spotlight intensifies as nominees position themselves heading into New York.
For stations and talent, this isn’t just another awards cycle—it’s a chance to tell their story. In an era where radio continues to fight for attention in a crowded media landscape, the Marconis still represent something different: validation from within the business.
All entries must be submitted through the NAB’s official member portal, where full rules, eligibility requirements, and category details are available.
Bottom line: if you’ve done something worth talking about over the past year, now is the time to make sure it gets heard.
On The Dial covers breaking radio industry news, including layoffs, programming changes, talent moves, and broadcast trends across the United States.