The early submissions deadline was December 15, 2018. The final deadline was January 9, 2019.
Eligibility Requirements
1. The Peabody Awards honor a diverse range of stories across television, radio/podcast, and digital media. Print media and major theatrical releases are not eligible.
2. All stories must have aired or been released between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018. Contact peabody@uga.edu for approval before submitting limited theatrical releases or documentaries appearing at film festivals outside these time parameters.
3. We recommend that producing individuals and network/platform companies consult each other prior to submission to avoid duplicating entries. Duplicate entries will be considered once and there will be no refund of fees.
4. International submissions are eligible. Please see section below on International Entries.
Entry Fees
October 15, 2018 to December 15, 2018 (11:59pm PT)
· Radio/Podcast: $225 USD per entry
· TV or Digital: $350 USD per entry
December 16, 2018 to January 9, 2019 (11:59pm PT)
· Radio/Podcast: $300 USD per entry
· TV or Digital: $425 USD per entry
Fees may be paid via major credit card in the submission system. For questions, please contact peabody@uga.edu.
Entry Formats and Award Categories
A single program is limited to one category of entry. Please submit your program in the area you feel best fits the content. While we understand that there may be some overlap in subject matter, do not submit your program in more than one category as it will be considered only once.
Entrants will first select the format in which the program aired or was distributed:
(1) Radio or Podcast
(2) Television/Video (e.g. broadcast, streaming, OTT, etc.)
(3) Interactive/Web (e.g. digital, virtual reality, etc.)
Entrants will then select one of these award categories:
· News: Includes spot coverage, reporting, investigation, interpretation and commentary on news events. Breaking news coverage can be submitted as a compilation reel but should begin with the first newscast when the coverage began.
· Entertainment: Regularly scheduled and/or special programs characterized by excellence in the presentation of drama, comedy, music, the performing arts, variety, sports, etc.
· Documentary: In-depth examination of local, national, or international issues and/or of contemporary or historic events.
· Children’s Programming: Series and special programs or projects primarily intended for an audience of children (2-11) or youth (12-17).
· Public Service: One-time or continuing projects that address or respond to an important public problem or issue, or demonstrate creative and effective use of media to enhance teaching and learning.
We do not accept public entries for our distinguished Individual and Institutional annual winners.
What to Submit
General program information, media materials, and entry fees are all submitted online through the Peabody Awards Submission System (available on this page on October 15). Below are guidelines on episodes or stories to submit. We strongly discourage applicants from submitting platforms for consideration. Media files must be uploaded directly to the submission portal for consideration. We are unable to accept FYC links or other downloadable links (e.g. Vimeo) in place of an uploaded file.
Radio/Podcast entries
1. Larger series or brand with standalone single episodes or standalone theme
e.g., This American Life: Anatomy of Doubt (episode 581)
Submit a single episode as an individual entry.
2. Narrative Series
e.g., Serial; The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel
Submit all episodes from a single season that appeared in the 2018 calendar entry as one entry.
3. News programming
e.g., Lost Mothers: Maternal Mortality in the U.S. (NPR)
Submit a single story in its entirety. If the story involved continuing coverage, applicants may submit one file comprised of extensive excerpts, which best represent the evolution of the story.
Television entries
1. Entertainment series or special
e.g. The Handmaid’s Tale; Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King
Submit all episodes from a single season that appeared in the 2018 calendar entry as one entry.
2. Documentary film
Submit each film in its entirety as one entry (e.g. Chasing Coral). If the film was aired as a miniseries (e.g. O.J.: Made in America), submit all episodes as part of one entry.
3. News programming, local or national
Submit a single story in its entirety. If the story involved continuing coverage, applicants may submit one file comprised of extensive excerpts, which best represent the evolution of the story.
4. News or Documentary series, single standalone episode around a single story/topic/theme under a larger brand
e.g. Frontline: Exodus; Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel: The Killing Fields; American Masters: Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise; 60 Minutes: “The Duke Rape Case”
Submit a single episode as an individual entry.
Interactive / Web Programming
Submissions in this category should be online or digital storytelling produced with user interactivity in mind (e.g. websites, virtual reality, apps, trans-media distribution). Typically for apps and virtual reality, the more successful programs will have broader public accessibility.
If equipment is required to experience the content, submitters must supply Peabody with at least one unit (e.g. Samsung phone; Oculus Rift; Google Cardboard, etc). The equipment will be returned once the awards season is complete (expected June 2019). Please contact us at peabody@uga.edu to make arrangements.
Technical Requirements for Materials
· Video: MP4 – 1080p SD or HD, H.264 preferred
· Audio: MP3 – Stereo or Mono
· Images: PNG (preferred), JPG/JPEG, GIF, TIF/TIFF
· Documents: PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPS, PPTX, XLS, XLSX, RTF, TXT
Individual files up to 20 GB each will be accepted. Please be aware that it may take some time for the file to upload, especially if you are on an internet connection with limited bandwidth such as public wifi.
Files must be uploaded individually. Do NOT open multiple browser tabs or use different browsers to try uploading multiple files at the same time. Doing so will result in lost materials and work. Zipped files and Watermark files are not accepted.
If you have a file for submission that is not one of the types listed and are unable to change the format, please contact peabody@uga.edu for assistance. All honorees will be contacted for broadcast quality footage after the winners are announced.
International Entries
Peabody welcomes international submissions in all categories. If the program is not in English, programs must be subtitled or dubbed in English to ensure our ability to give the piece full consideration. Transcripts and written translations are not accepted.
Calendar of Deadlines and Announcements
December 15, 2018
Early Deadline for Submissions (see above)
January 9, 2019
Final Deadline for Submissions (see above)
Mid-April 2019
Nominees and Winners Announcements
May 18, 2019
78th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony in New York