Yahoo Lifestyle Netflix, HBO/Max, PBS Lead as Peabody Awards Announces 2025 Nominations for Documentary, News, Public Service and Radio/Podcast
Netflix and HBO/Max led the documentary category, while PBS led news, as Peabody unveiled its nominees for the documentary, news, public service and radio podcast categories for its 85th competition. Chosen out of programs broadcast and streamed in 2024, Peabody’s 27 jurors chose nominees by unanimous vote out of more than 1,000 entries across television, podcasts/radio and the web in entertainment, news, documentary, arts, children’s/youth, public service and interactive/immersive programming and media.
Peabody, which is based at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia, honors programming in the categories of entertainment, documentary, news, podcast/radio, arts, children’s and youth, immersive and interactive media, and public service programming. Nominees for this year’s awards in the arts, children’s/youth, entertainment and interactive/immersive categories will be announced on April 17, and all winners will be revealed on May 1. Bob Bain Prods. will produce the 2025 ceremony, hosted by Roy Wood Jr. at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on June 1.
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“As with what always makes Peabody unique, this year’s nominees explore the local and global, the forgotten and the widely celebrated, the extraordinary and beautiful, and the ugliest and most horrible side of our inhumanity to others,” said Jeffrey Jones, executive director of Peabody. “Peabody recognized storytelling is always a must-watch and must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the world we occupy together.”
NBC News’ chief Washington and chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell has been tapped to receive this year’s Peabody Career Achievement Award, while long-running NBC late-night sketch comedy series “Saturday Night Live” will be recognized with Peabody’s Institutional Award
Here are the Peabody Award nominees for documentary, news, public service, and radio/podcast,
listed by category and in alphabetical order — followed by the network/platform and then the production companies, when applicable, in parenthesis:
DOCUMENTARY
“American Coup: Wilmington 1898” (PBS; American Experience and PBS North Carolina)
“A deadly race massacre and insurrection occurred in North Carolina’s largest city in 1898 – the only coup d’etat in U.S. history, though it is now little-known. This documentary shows how white supremacists, fearing ‘Negro Rule,’ overthrew Wilmington’s democratically elected, multi-racial government.”
“Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story” (Crave; Bangers Films and the National Film Board of Canada)
“This film brings to life the powerful voice and legacy of Jackie Shane, a Black trans soul singer who vanished at the height of fame and now tells her story in her own works. Blending rare audio recordings, animated visuals, and family revelations, the film honors Shane’s trailblazing journey, celebrating her impact as an icon who lived authentically long before the world was ready.”
“Black Box Diaries” (MTV Documentary Films / Showtime; Hanashi Films, Cineric Creative, and Star Sands)
“‘Black Box Diaries’ is journalist Shiori Ito’s deeply personal documentary chronicling her journey of coming forward as a survivor of rape in Japan, where sexual violence is highly stigmatized and rarely reported. Through self-recorded video diaries, secret conversations, and raw emotional honesty, Ito exposes the systemic silencing of victims and the personal cost of speaking out, ultimately transforming her pain into a powerful call for societal change.”
“Bread & Roses” (Apple TV+; Apple Original Films presents an Eyan Foundation presentation in association with Extracurricular)
“Sahra Mani’s documentary follows the experiences of Afghan women since the Taliban took control of Kabul, including an ex-government employee forced to stay indoors, a woman organizing resistance via her dentistry practice, and a refugee who flees to Pakistan.”
“Daughters” (Netflix; A Netflix Documentary / An Object & Animal and Epoch Films Production / A Park Pictures and XTR Production in association with OPC, World of HA, Simpson Street, and Two One Five)
“‘Daughters’ follows the lives of four young girls navigating the emotional challenges of having incarcerated fathers as they prepare for a special father-daughter dance at a D.C. jail. Through deeply personal storytelling, the film highlights the generational impact of mass incarceration, the resilience of families, and the urgent need for systemic change.”
“Hollywoodgate” (Jolt; Rolling Narratives in association with Jouzour Film Production, Cottage M and RaeFilm Studios)
“As the Taliban transformed from militia to military regime in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, they reclaimed and repurposed abandoned American weaponry at a former CIA base. With unprecedented access, director Ibrahim Nash’at captures a chilling year inside the regime, revealing the Taliban’s growing military ambitions and the global rise of authoritarian propaganda.”
“The Last of the Sea Women” (Apple TV+; Apple Original Films Presents an A24 Production / an Extracurricular Production)
Director Sue Kim follows a declining community of women in South Korea—most of them now in their 60s or older—who dive to the ocean floor without oxygen tanks to harvest seafood to feed their community.
“Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa” (Netflix; A Netflix Documentary / An SK Global Entertainment Production / An OBB Pictures Production / An Avocados and Coconuts Production in association with MakeMake Entertainment)
“Directed by Lucy Walker, this film follows Nepali Lhakpa Sherpa as she becomes the first woman to climb Mount Everest ten times while raising two daughters and surviving an abusive marriage.”
“Night is Not Eternal” (HBO | Max; HBO Documentary Films presents A Little Horse Crossing the River and Hard Working Movies Production in association with NiKa Media and Secret Sauce Media)
“Filmmaker Nanfu Wang documents Cuban activist Rosa María Payá’s fight for democracy after her father’s state-sponsored killing echoes struggles in both Cuba and China. Through intimate footage and personal experiences of surveillance, exile, and political awakening, the film becomes a powerful exploration of global resistance, the fragility of democracy, and the shared human pursuit of freedom.”
“One With the Whale” (Independent Lens, PBS; Vitamin Sea Productions)
“A Native teen on a tiny Bering Sea island becomes the youngest person in his village to harpoon a whale, providing vital sustenance that will feed the community for months, but comes into conflict with internet conservation activists when a photo of his accomplishment is posted online.”
“Queendom” (A Galdanova Film Production in association with Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, International Documentary Association, InMaat Productions, Doc Society and Sopka Films)
“Jenna, a 21-year-old queer artist from a remote Russian town, uses haunting, otherworldly performances in the streets of Moscow to protest LGBTQ+ oppression and challenge societal norms around beauty and identity. Documenting Jenna’s bold art and activism, this film offers a powerful, intimate look at resilience under repression.”
“The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” (Netflix; Medieoperatørene and VGTV for Netflix)
“This Norwegian production, directed by Benjamin Ree, tells the story of Mats Steen, a young man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who cannot participate in most everyday activities, but finds refuge in the online roleplaying game World of Warcraft. After his death at 25, his family discovers the rich life he had online as the character Ibelin Redmoore, a valued member of a World of Warcraft community.”
“The Space Race” (National Geographic Channel; National Geographic Documentary Films, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, Algeria Films & Cortés Filmworks)
“‘The Space Race’ tells the powerful, long-overdue story of Black NASA astronauts who overcame systemic racism to claim their place in the U.S. space program. The films centers on Ed Dwight, the nation’s first Black astronaut trainee who was denied flight but paved the way for future generations. Decades later, Dwight finally reached space at age 90, turning his personal victory into a historic moment of justice.”
“Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.” (HBO | Max; HBO Documentary Films presents in association with Concord Originals, Polygram Entertainment, Warner Music Entertainment; A Laylow Pictures production; A White Horse Pictures production)
“This four-part documentary series traces the rise and fall of Stax Records, the groundbreaking Memphis-based, interracial, soul label that launched the careers of icons such as Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes. Through rare archival footage, intimate interviews, and an immersive sonic experience, the series offers an unflinching, deeply human portrait of artistic innovation, community resilience, and the enduring struggle for Black empowerment in America.”
“Sugarcane” (National Geographic Channel; National Geographic Documentary Films, Impact Partners, Fit Via Vi, Kassie Films, Hedgehog Films)
“‘Sugarcane’ investigates the horrors of Canada’s Indian residential school system, revealing new evidence of infanticide, coerced adoptions, and generational trauma tied to the Catholic Church and government. Through intimate storytelling and sweeping visuals, it uncovers buried truths while honoring the resilience of Indigenous communities, sparking national reckoning and historic political action in both Canada and the United States.”
“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” (HBO | Max; DC Studios / HBO Documentary Films / CNN Films)
“After a devastating accident left him paralyzed, Christopher Reeve became a powerful symbol of resilience, using his platform to inspire hope and advocate for disability rights. Throughout it all, he remained a passionate actor, filmmaker, and devoted family man, with his wife Dana as his unwavering support.”
“The Truth vs. Alex Jones” (HBO | Max; HBO Documentary Films presents an Amos Pictures Production)
“Director Dan Reed and his team follow Sandy Hook families’ years-long legal battle against Alex Jones and InfoWars. Through unprecedented courtroom access and profound interviews, the film explores both the power and limitations of the legal process in combating monetized disinformation, while asking why conspiratorial thinking has taken such a deep hold in American society.”
“Will & Harper” (Netflix; A Netflix Documentary / A Wayfarer Studios Film / A Delirio Films Production / A Gloria Sanchez Production)
“Actor Will Ferrell and his longtime collaborator and friend Harper Steele take a road trip across America together, getting reacquainted after Harper’s midlife gender transition. They experience mixed reactions at different stops along the way as Will asks occasionally awkward questions and realizes the limits of his fame to combat prejudice, painting a realistically complex portrait of allyship.”
“You Are Not Alone: Fighting the Wolf Pack” (Netflix; Netflix Presents Una Producción de Lucernam Films)
“This Netflix film explores the case of a gang rape that occurred during the 2016 San Fermin ‘running of the bulls’ festival, leading to Spain’s first #MeToo reckoning and resonating across the ocean to Latin America.”
NEWS
“ABC News Investigates – Zombie Wells: The Threat Beneath” (ABC; ABC News and ABC Reporting Partners KABC – Los Angeles, KAKE – Wichita, KMGH – Denver, KTRK – Houston, WRTV – Indianapolis)
“ABC News uncovers the significant and surprising threats that abandoned oil and gas wells across the country pose to their surrounding communities.”
“China, the U.S. & the Rise of Xi Jinping” (PBS; Frontline)
“This two-hour ‘Frontline’ documentary explores China’s transformation into a global superpower under President Xi Jinping amid the country’s escalating tensions with the United States. Through rare interviews and deep reporting, the film traces Xi’s rise, his authoritarian rule, and the far-reaching implications of his policies on human rights, Taiwan, global trade, and U.S.-China relations.”
“Confronting Hate” (WTVF – TV)
“Amid a significant increase in hate-group activity in and around Nashville, dogged WTVF reporter Phil Williams exposes their violence, anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant demonstrations, racist stunts, online agitating, and plans to seize political power.”
“Death Trap: No Safe Place in Gaza” (NBC News)
“This NBC News special series by Hala Gorani investigates the Israeli military’s strikes on designated safe zones, hospitals, and journalists in Gaza, uncovering patterns of attacks that contradict official denials. Drawing on satellite imagery, exclusive footage, and interviews, the reports reveal the collapse of healthcare, targeted killings of media workers, and the human toll on civilians who were promised safety.”
“Driven to Death” (KXAS-TV/ NBC 5)
“This 14-month-long investigation from NBC5 in Dallas dives into statistics that show the city has the highest traffic death rate among the ten largest cities in America, finding that high speeds, poor roadway design, and outdated features are to blame.”
“Policing Phoenix” (ABC15 Arizona /KNXV-TV)
“ABC15 Arizona’s ‘Policing Phoenix’ is a groundbreaking video series that renders the DOJ’s most sweeping investigation of a local police department into a powerful, visual account, rooted in years of investigative journalism. The 32-part series exposes the systemic failures of the Phoenix Police Department and brings anonymized DOJ findings to life through real cases, footage, and people.”
“South Korea’s Adoption Reckoning” (PBS; Frontline, The Associated Press)
“‘Frontline’ and the Associated Press examine allegations of abuse and fraud amid South Korea’s foreign adoption boom and find that many children had been stolen from their birth parents and handed over to unwitting Americans desperate to adopt.”
“Surviving Nova” (Vice TV; Vice News)
“Vice News follows survivors and the families of those taken hostage or killed during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on the Nova music festival that came as part of the deadliest day in Israel’s history. The coverage highlights their experiences as they cope with the trauma of the attack while grappling with Israel’s response.”
“The Night Won’t End” (Fault Lines / Al Jazeera English / Television)
“This film from Al Jazeera’s ‘Fault Lines’ investigates the Israeli military’s killing of civilians in Gaza and America’s role in these actions. While the United States continued to supply bombs, artillery shells, and tanks to Israel, Fault Lines followed three families’ efforts to survive.”
“War in the Holy Land” (PBS News Hour)
“As the war between Israel and Hamas continued throughout 2024, PBS NewsHour provided extensive reporting, highlighting the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the displacement of citizens in northern Israel and Southern Lebanon.”
PUBLIC SERVICE
“Breakdown in Maine” (PBS; Frontline, Portland Press Herald, Maine Public Radio)
“‘Frontline’ partners with the Portland Press Herald and Maine Public to examine the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history and pinpoint the missed opportunities to prevent it, including police, military, and mental health care system breakdowns, as well as law loopholes unique to the state.”
“Inside Story” (The Marshall Project and Scripps)
“‘The Inside Story’ video series makes informative programming for incarcerated people, tackling issues such as false convictions, understaffing in prisons, and restoring voting rights upon release. Created by The Marshall Project’s Lawrence Bartley and Donald Washington, Jr., both of whom are formerly incarcerated, it has been seen in 1,431 jails and prisons across the country.”
“Long Shadow: In Guns We Trust” (Long Lead, The Trace, Campside Media, and PRX)
“This podcast examines how the U.S. became deeply divided over guns and how violence has escalated into an epidemic. The series traces the history of this great American debate from the writing of the Second Amendment to Columbine and beyond.”
“The Only Doctor” (Reel South / PBS; Reel South, BellaFran Productions, PBS North Carolina, South Carolina ETV, Louisiana Public Broadcasting)
“Dr. Karen Kinsell, the sole doctor in rural Clay County, Georgia, has spent more than two decades providing care without pay, but now faces the tough choice between retirement and saving her struggling clinic. As a possible lifeline emerges from a university medical group, Kinsell insists on maintaining affordability and access in this documentary highlighting the high-stakes battle for rural healthcare amid political and pandemic-related turmoil.”
RADIO/PODCAST
“Blindspot: The Plague in the Shadows” (WNYC and The History Channel)
“WNYC Studios and The History Channel bring listeners stories from the early days of the AIDS epidemic, highlighting the people on the frontlines of activism and showing the long-term effects of the disease decades later.”
“The Good Whale” (Serial Productions and The New York Times)
“Serial Productions and The New York Times tell the story of efforts to free the orca who played the title role in the film Free Willy from an amusement park in Mexico City. The epic experiment takes a number of unexpected turns, calling into question the practice of keeping animals in captivity—even, and maybe especially, celebrity animals.”
“In the Dark: The Killings in Haditha” (The New Yorker)
“The New Yorker’s investigative podcast considers the killing of 24 Iraqi civilians by U.S. Marines, questioning whether they were war crimes, murder, or legitimate combat actions. Reporter Madeleine Baran and her team took four years, traveling to 21 states and three continents, to get the story.”
“Lost Patients” (KUOW Public Radio, The Seattle Times, NPR)
“NPR’s ‘Lost Patients’ reframes the conversation around mental illness in the United States by centering the voices of those experiencing psychosis and exposing systemic failures in mental health care.”
“Pablo Torre Finds Out: Watching the Dallas Cowboys on Death Row” (Meadowlark Media)
“Correspondent David Fleming explores an unusual phenomenon in a Texas supermax prison: death row inmates using their final words to cheer for their favorite sports teams. Through the story of Charles Flores, the piece reveals how sports fandom offers inmates a way to express identity, connection, and humanity, even in their final moments.”
“Pulse: The Untold Story” (Trevor Aaronson, Western Sound, and Audible)
“In this Audible production, host Trevor Aaronson challenges the established narrative surrounding the Pulse nightclub shooting, revealing that it was not a premeditated anti-LGBTQIA+ hate crime, but rather an opportunistic act by shooter Omar Mateen—a shocking revelation that has received little coverage.”
“Ripple” (Western Sound and APM Studios)
“In its first season, this investigative podcast revisits the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, revealing ongoing ecological and health crises faced by Gulf Coast communities long after media attention faded.”
“Salmon Wars” (Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica)
“Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica team up to look into the disappearing salmon population in the Northwest, telling the story through the voices of one Yakama Nation family fighting to save the fish.”
“Supermajority” (Nashville Public Radio and NPR’s Embedded)
“NPR’s ‘Embedded’ presents this special four-part series following three mothers as they try to take on Tennessee’s Republican-controlled state legislature, hoping for changes to gun laws after their children’s school suffered a mass shooting in 2023. The lifelong conservatives assumed they would be heard by their own party, but face challenging truths along the way.”
“Tested” (Bucket of Eels, CBC, NPR’s Embedded)
“Hosted by Rose Eveleth, ‘Tested’ delves into the ongoing debate surrounding who qualifies to compete in women’s sports, focusing on athletes Christine Mboma and Maximila Imali, who face challenges due to new regulations regarding testosterone levels. The series highlights broader issues of fairness, identity, and the societal implications of enforcing strict gender binaries, while also facilitating important conversations around sex and gender in sports.”
“This is the Case of Henry Dee” (This American Life)
“‘This American Life’ spotlights the parole case of Henry Dee, who is seeking release after 50 years in prison. Listeners are taken along the difficult process, which ultimately calls into question the function of parole, and the meaning of crime and punishment.”
“Yousef, Youmna, Banias, and Majd: Four Lives in Gaza” (This American Life)
“‘This American Life’ reports on the personal stories of individuals affected by the conflict in Gaza, showcasing their experiences and decisions through intimate phone conversations. Chana Joffe-Walt’s series of episodes provides a unique perspective on the war, emphasizing the humanity and agency of those living through it – from families navigating relocation to children coping with trauma, ultimately illustrating the resilience of life amid despair.”
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