BBC Audio Drama Awards 2027
The BBC’s 16th Annual Celebration of Audio Drama and Comedy
The BBC Audio Drama Awards celebrate the range, originality and cut-through quality of audio drama and comedy on air and online.
Audio drama and comedy provide joy, illumination and escape for millions of listeners. In uncertain times, these beloved genres are more vital than ever, making it all the more appropriate to celebrate the artistry and skill involved in bringing this work to listeners. Production approaches constantly evolve as creators respond to changes in the world, in technology and in audience taste and habits. In the UK, the BBC remains the biggest champion of this unique art-form and continues to support these awards that recognise the specialist talent of actors, writers, directors, producers, musicians, sound designers and all who work in this field.
Categories
• Best Original Single Drama
• Best Original Series or Serial
• Best Adaptation
• Best Podcast Audio Drama
• Best Sit Com or Comedy Drama
• Best Stand-Up or Sketch Comedy
• Best Actor
• Best Actress
• Best Comedy Performance
• Marc Beeby Award for Best Debut Performance
• Best Use of Sound
• Best European Audio Drama
Rules of Entry
1.The BBC Audio Drama Awards will cover audio dramas first broadcast in English in the UK between 1 October 2025 and 31 October 2026 or first uploaded/published/released for free listening online in the UK during the same period. Productions may be entered from anywhere in the world subject to these criteria
1a. In addition, the Best European Audio Drama category welcomes dramas in other languages than English
2. Entries must be made in the name of the producer or director of the entry. This is the person who will be credited should the entry be shortlisted or win
3. There is no entry fee
3a. There is no fee for those who are invited to attend the winners’ ceremony
4. There is a maximum of five entries per individual and no more than two entries per individual in any one category
5. No title may be entered into more than three categories, including the performance awards
6. Entries must be submitted exactly as broadcast or released
7. There is no restriction in length for single pieces but the judges reserve the right only to listen to part of an entry
8. Multi-episodic entries for Best Serial and Best Podcast are restricted to a maximum of two episodes irrespective of total duration. This must include the first episode plus one other. The judges reserve the right not to listen beyond Episode 1
9. The closing date for submissions is midnight (GMT) on Monday 19 October 2026 with no extensions
10. The Best Original Single and Series or Serial Awards are for original dramas only and do not include adaptations from other sources
11. For Best Adaptation please identify the original source material in the statement supporting entry. Entries may be for single dramas or for up to two episodes of serialised dramas; if the latter, the same restrictions apply as in rule 8. Unperformed stageplays will not be accepted in this category
12. The Best Podcast category recognises quality work commissioned for, and made available as, a podcast, and accessible from within the UK. Entries must be original full-cast dramas or comedies, and commercial releases are eligible for this category only. Single voice readings are not eligible. With the exception of the performance categories, entries to this award may not be entered into other categories unless they have also been broadcast, in which case state the broadcast dates and network in the supporting statement
13. In Best Comedy categories, entries may be for one-off productions or for up to two episodes from a series/serial. If the latter, the same restrictions apply as in rule 8. No production may be entered into both Comedy production categories
14. Entries to Best Comedy Performance are for a fictional role or character and may not also be entered into the other performance categories. No more than one comedy performance per title may be entered
15. Entries for Best Debut Performance are for first professional audio engagements only, regardless of experience in other media
16. Entries for Best European Drama must be accompanied with an accurate English translation of the script. This may take the form of a Word document of the script, ideally in parallel text, or submitted as a subtitled video, whichever is more convenient. There is a limit of one entry only per broadcasting organisation and entries must have been originally available for free listening in their country of origin. Europe is defined as those countries with affiliation to the European Broadcasting Union. Entries to this award may not be entered into other categories
17. Use of AI in any editorial aspect of the production, including initial development, must be declared and explained in the statement supporting entry
18. Productions made from AI-generated scripts may not be entered into any category
18. AI-generated or augmented voices may not be entered into the performance categories
19. Completed entry forms will automatically submit once the box confirming the rules have been read has been ticked
20. Each entry must be entered on a separate entry form; entries for multiple categories on a single form will be disqualified
21. Audio should be uploaded in MP3 format only to Dropbox or other free-to-access non-time-limited cloud storage site. The filename of each entry must be labelled as follows: Title of Entry_CATEGORY_Name of Actor (if relevant). Other formats, or inaccurate labelling, may result in disqualification
The Judging
A number of panels will listen to the submissions and choose winners for each category. The judges will come from the BBC and elsewhere. The organisers will not enter into any correspondence regarding the judging process or the outcome.
The Awards
The following awards recognise the combined skill of the whole production team: Single Drama, Series or Serial, the Comedy awards, Podcast and European Audio Drama. Best Adaptation recognises the writer’s craft, along with the recognition of original writing made by the Imison & Tinniswood Awards. The awards for Actor, Actress, Comedy Performance, Debut Performance and Use of Sound recognise the relevant contributors.
Shortlisted Entries
Shortlisted entries will be announced via the website in early December. The finalists will be announced in late January 2027.
The Winners
The winners will be announced on Sunday 21 March 2027 in a ceremony in the Radio Theatre at BBC Broadcasting House London. Subject to permissible audience size at the time, a maximum of three invitations will be allocated for each finalist entry. Other invitations are discretionary.
The winners of the Imison and Tinniswood Awards (judged and administered by the Society of Authors and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain) will also be announced at this ceremony, as will the winner of the Radio Times Readers’ Choice.
In the event that circumstances should mean we are unable to proceed as planned with these awards, the BBC reserves the right to suspend, postpone or cancel the process at any point.
Email queries to audiodramaawards@bbc.co.uk
