Breakfast Show –
Celebrates an outstanding breakfast radio show that combines compelling content, entertainment, strong presentation and meaningful audience connection. The programme should set the tone for the listener’s day through a distinctive mix of information, conversation, music, features and entertainment. Entries should demonstrate a strong understanding of the breakfast audience and create a programme that feels relevant, engaging and cohesive. Eligible entries must be programmes whose primary broadcast slot is the breakfast daypart.
Campus • Commercial • Community • PBS
Drive Show – Celebrates an outstanding afternoon drive show that captures the energy, interests and experiences of its audience. The programme may combine music, conversation, topical content, interviews, features, humour and audience interaction to create an engaging listening experience. Eligible entries must be programmes whose primary broadcast slot is the afternoon drive daypart.
Campus • Commercial • Community • PBS
Music Entertainment Show – Celebrates an outstanding music-led entertainment programme that combines music with personality, conversation, features and other forms of entertainment. The programme should offer audiences more than a sequence of songs by creating a distinctive listening experience through its presenters, content and production. Eligible entries include daytime, evening and weekend music entertainment programmes. Breakfast and Drive shows should be entered in their respective categories.
Campus • Commercial • Community • PBS
Specialist Music Show – Celebrates a programme with a distinctive and dedicated focus on music, its genres, artists, history, culture or discovery. The programme should demonstrate knowledge and passion for its chosen musical area while introducing audiences to music, artists or perspectives they may not encounter elsewhere. Entries may include genre-specific programmes, artist-focused shows, music discovery programmes, countdowns and specialist formats covering jazz, classical, hip-hop, rock, dance and other genres. Music must be the central purpose and identity of the programme. This category is open to programmes from all sectors.
Open to all sectors
Talk Show – Celebrates an outstanding talk-led programme where conversation is at the heart of the listening experience. Programmes may explore social issues, culture, lifestyle, entertainment, community matters, current affairs or other subjects through interviews, discussions, debates and audience participation. Entries should demonstrate compelling conversations, a distinctive editorial or presenter voice and an ability to make subjects meaningful to the intended audience. Eligible entries must be talk-led programmes. Breakfast and Drive shows should be entered in their respective categories where applicable.
Campus • Commercial • Community • PBS
News & Current Affairs – Celebrates outstanding radio journalism that informs audiences about the issues shaping their communities, South Africa and the wider world. Entries may include news, current affairs, investigative reporting, business and finance, analysis or other journalism-led programming. The programme should provide credible information while adding context, insight and understanding to the stories being covered. Eligible entries include news, current affairs, investigative, business and finance programmes where journalism and informing the audience are central to the format.
Campus & Community • Commercial • PBS
Sports Show – Celebrates an outstanding sports programme that informs, entertains and connects audiences through sports coverage, analysis, commentary, interviews and storytelling. Entries may focus on a single sporting code or cover multiple sports and may include live coverage, discussion, features and expert analysis. The programme should bring insight, personality and energy to its coverage while reflecting the interests of its audience. Eligible entries must be dedicated sports programmes covering one or more sporting codes.
Campus & Community • Commercial • PBS
Drama – Celebrates an outstanding scripted audio drama that demonstrates compelling storytelling, strong writing, memorable performances and creative use of sound. Entries may be ongoing series, limited series or standalone productions and may explore fictional, historical, social or contemporary narratives. The programme should demonstrate how audio can be used to create atmosphere, emotion, character and a vivid world for the listener. Eligible entries include scripted radio or audio drama productions from all sectors.
Open to all sectors
Documentary – Celebrates an outstanding factual audio documentary that tells a compelling real-world story through research, interviews, actuality, narration and sound. Entries should explore their subject with depth and provide audiences with meaningful insight, new perspectives or a deeper understanding of the people, places or issues being documented. The programme should use the distinctive qualities of radio and audio to bring its subject to life. Eligible entries include one-off factual documentaries and documentary series from all sectors.
Open to all sectors
On-Air Personality – Celebrates an outstanding on-air individual who brings personality, originality, authenticity and strong communication skills to the listening experience. The category recognises presenters and hosts who have developed a distinctive connection with their audiences and demonstrate consistency, creativity and presence on air. Entries may come from Breakfast, Drive, music, talk, sports or other radio formats. Eligible entrants are individual presenters or hosts working in radio during the awards eligibility period.
Campus • Commercial • Community • PBS
Broadcast Journalist – Celebrates an outstanding broadcast journalist whose work demonstrates strong reporting, interviewing, storytelling, news presentation and journalistic judgement. Entries may reflect a journalist’s work across breaking news, current affairs, investigative reporting, community reporting, business, sport or other specialist areas. The category recognises journalists who inform audiences while bringing clarity, context and insight to the stories they cover. Eligible entrants include field reporters, news and current affairs presenters, bulletin readers, sports journalists and traffic presenters or reporters.
Campus • Commercial • Community • PBS
Content Producer – Celebrates the individual or production team whose editorial, creative and production input plays a defining role in shaping a radio programme. The category recognises the work that happens behind the microphone, including developing programme ideas, editorial direction, features, segments, structure, research and creative execution. Entries should demonstrate how the producer or production team has helped shape the programme’s identity and overall listening experience. Eligible entries may be submitted by individual producers or production teams responsible for the programme’s content.
Campus & Community • Commercial • PBS
Station Imaging / Sonic Branding – Celebrates outstanding use of sound to create a distinctive and recognisable station identity. Entries may include station IDs, sweepers, promos, jingles, sonic logos, imaging packages and other audio elements used to establish and reinforce a station’s brand. The category recognises creative sound design, production quality and consistency across the station’s audio identity. Eligible entries are station-level imaging or sonic branding work produced or used during the awards eligibility period.
Campus & Community • Commercial • PBS
Radio Innovation – Celebrates an original idea, initiative, format, technology or approach that demonstrates how radio and audio can evolve to meet changing audience needs. Entries may explore new ways of creating, distributing or experiencing audio, using technology, new formats, audience participation or alternative approaches to programming and engagement. The innovation should demonstrate a meaningful advancement rather than simply the introduction of a new feature. This category is open to radio and audio initiatives from all sectors.
Open to all sectors
Best Commercial Partnership – Celebrates an outstanding collaboration between a radio station, programme or audio platform and a commercial brand. The partnership should demonstrate a strong connection between the broadcaster, brand and audience while delivering meaningful creative and commercial value. Entries may include branded content, sponsorships, campaigns, competitions, activations, events or other forms of collaboration. Eligible entries must involve a partnership between a radio or audio platform and a commercial brand.
Open to all sectors
Community Impact – Celebrates a radio or audio initiative that has made a meaningful and demonstrable contribution to a community. The initiative may address social, educational, economic, environmental, health, cultural or other community needs. Entries should show how the broadcaster used its platform, resources or relationships to create positive change and connect meaningfully with the community it serves. Eligible entries include station-led projects, public-service initiatives, social-impact campaigns and community programmes from all sectors.
Campus • Commercial • Community • PBS
Internet / Digital Radio – Celebrates an outstanding digital-first radio service created primarily for online listening. The service should demonstrate excellence in programming, presentation, innovation and the overall digital audience experience. Entries may include online-only or digital-first linear radio services that offer a distinct proposition to audiences. This category is intended for digital radio services rather than individual podcasts or on-demand programmes.
Open to all sectors
Podcast – Celebrates an outstanding on-demand audio programme or series created primarily for podcast distribution. Entries may cover any subject, format or genre and should demonstrate strong storytelling, presentation, production and a clear understanding of the podcast audience. The category is open to both established and emerging podcast productions. Eligible entries must be original on-demand audio programmes or podcast series created primarily for podcast distribution.
Open to all sectors
Bright Star – Celebrates an emerging radio professional whose talent, contribution and potential have made a notable impression on the industry. The category is intended for individuals who are still establishing themselves in radio but have demonstrated exceptional ability, commitment and promise. Entrants may work across presenting, journalism, production, technical, digital, programming or other areas of the radio industry. Eligible entrants must be emerging radio professionals who are at an early stage of their careers.
Open to all sectors
Hall of Fame – Recognises an individual whose sustained contribution and achievements have made a significant and lasting impact on South African radio. The award celebrates a career that has influenced the industry through excellence, leadership, innovation, mentorship or an enduring contribution to the development of radio. Nominations are open to individuals whose contribution to the South African radio industry reflects a sustained body of work and lasting industry impact.
Open to all sectors
Station of the Year – Celebrates the radio station that demonstrates excellence across its overall operation and audience offering. Consideration should extend across programming, talent, journalism, innovation, audience service, community engagement and the station’s overall contribution during the eligibility period. The award recognises the strength and consistency of the station as a whole rather than a single programme or individual. Eligible entries are radio stations competing within their applicable sector division.
Campus • Commercial • Community • PBS
MyStation – Celebrates the radio station that receives the strongest public support through the Telkom Radio Awards audience vote. This award gives listeners the opportunity to recognise the station they believe best represents their interests, community and listening experience. Eligible stations must participate in the official public voting process.
Open public vote