Peabody Awards Celebrate 85 Years of Storytelling Excellence

The 85th Peabody Awards ceremony, held on June 1, 2025, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles, honored outstanding achievements in broadcasting and digital media. Hosted by comedian and commentator Roy Wood Jr., the event celebrated programs that exemplify storytelling excellence, integrity, and impact across various categories, including entertainment, documentary, news, and more.

A Diverse Array of Honorees

This year’s Peabody Awards recognized 34 winners selected from over 1,000 entries. The honorees addressed a wide range of contemporary and historical issues, such as the war in Gaza, rural healthcare, disabilities, authoritarianism, and sexual violence. Jeffrey Jones, executive director of Peabody, emphasized the importance of these stories, stating, “Whether enlightening audiences on global issues or bringing a smile and sense of community through thoughtful entertainment, these works deserve to be recognized and celebrated.”

Top Winners and Notable Works

Netflix led the pack with six awards, including honors for “Baby Reindeer,” “Ripley,” “Will & Harper,” “Daughters,” “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa,” and “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin.” HBO/Max followed with four awards, recognizing works like “Fantasmas,” “The Truth vs. Alex Jones,” “Night is Not Eternal,” and “STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.” PBS secured three awards, while FX/Hulu and Al Jazeera each received two.

Special Awards and Recognitions

In addition to the competitive categories, the Peabody Awards presented two special honors. Veteran journalist Andrea Mitchell received the Peabody Career Achievement Award for her decades-long contributions to journalism. “Saturday Night Live” was honored with the Institutional Award, recognizing its enduring impact on American culture and television.

Categories and Winning Entries

Arts: National Geographic’s “Photographer” showcased the work of renowned photographers, highlighting environmental issues and the African diaspora.

Children’s/Youth: Disney+’s “Out of My Mind” told the story of a nonverbal teen with cerebral palsy, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding.

Documentary: Notable winners included “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story” (CRAVE), “Black Box Diaries” (MTV Documentary Films / Showtime), and “Bread & Roses” (Apple TV+).

Entertainment: Acclaimed series such as “Baby Reindeer” (Netflix), “Fantasmas” (HBO/Max), “Mr Bates vs The Post Office” (PBS), and “Shōgun” (FX/Hulu) were among the honorees.

Interactive & Immersive: Innovative projects like “1000xRESIST,” “Inside the Deadly Maui Inferno, Hour by Hour,” and “One Day in Gaza | Close Up” received accolades.

News: Investigative pieces such as “Confronting Hate” (WTVF-TV), “Policing Phoenix” (ABC15 Arizona), and “Surviving Nova” (VICE TV) were recognized for their impactful reporting.

Podcast & Radio: Compelling audio narratives like “Blindspot: The Plague in the Shadows,” “In the Dark: The Killings in Haditha,” and “Pulse: The Untold Story” earned awards.

Public Service: “The Only Doctor” (Reel South / PBS) was honored for its dedication to public interest storytelling.

A Legacy of Excellence

Established in 1940, the Peabody Awards are administered by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. They recognize distinguished and meritorious public service by television and radio stations, networks, producing organizations, and individuals. The awards are known for honoring stories that matter, with a focus on social issues and emerging voices.