The Critics Choice Association announced Thursday it will launch the inaugural Critics Choice Creator Awards, honoring digital creators across podcasts, scripted and unscripted series, documentaries, lifestyle content, game shows and sports programming.
The organization said the new awards recognize the growing influence of creators producing content for social media and streaming platforms, expanding the association’s lineup beyond its annual film and television honors.
“As the world of entertainment evolves and migrates onto social media and streaming platforms, it is the job of entertainment critics to move with them,” Critics Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin said. “We are dedicated to helping entertainment consumers `find the good stuff’ as well as helping the best creators get found — and appreciated.”
Categories will include Creator of the Year, Podcast Host, Audio Podcast, Video Podcast, Comedy Creator, Drama Creator, Documentary Creator, Business Creator, Health and Wellness Creator and Sports Series, among dozens of others.
Eligible entries must be made publicly available online between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2026. Early submissions will open Oct. 19, followed by regular submissions through Feb. 1, 2027, according to organization.
Nominees will be announced March 18, 2027, with winners to be revealed April 15, 2027.
The Critics Choice Association, founded in 1995, represents more than 500 entertainment critics and journalists.
In addition to the annual Critics Choice Awards, the organization also presents the Critics Choice Documentary Awards, Critics Choice Real TV Awards and Critics Choice Super Awards, along with several events recognizing underrepresented communities.