Record-breaking artists and podcasts celebrated at Global Player Awards

The winners of the first Global Player Awards, recognising the most listened to artists, podcasters and breakthrough talent shaping culture across the UK, have been announced.

The Awards shine a light on music, radio and podcasting by using Global’s proprietary listening data, and introduce a landmark new category, the Two Billion Listens Award.

This accolade marks an extraordinary achievement for artists who have been streamed more than two billion times across Global’s full portfolio, a level reached by only a small number of performers worldwide in any given year.

Ed Sheeran, Teddy Swims and Myles Smith all receive Two Billion Listens Awards in 2025, reflecting the size of their audience and the depth of their connection with listeners.

Ed said: “Thank you so much for my Global Player Award 2025 for two billion listens across Global stations. I don’t even know how to quantify that, two billion is a lot.

“So thank you for playing my songs so many times. I really enjoy all the work that we’ve been doing together for the last fifteen years of my career and here’s to two billion more.”

Teddy said: “Thank you so much Global for my Global Player Award 2025, thanks so much to everybody, to Global, all the fans, all the people that loved my music this year. Thank you, I couldn’t do it without you, I’m so so grateful and I love you.”

Myles said: “Thank you Global for my Global Player Award for two billion listens across all Global stations. I just want to say a massive thank you to all the people listening, to all the people who tune in, to all the people who host the shows, and more importantly, to you at home for just making this possible.”

Breakthrough artists also feature strongly across Global’s networks. Alex Warren is named Capital’s Biggest Breakthrough after rapidly becoming a favourite with listeners, while MOLIY takes Capital XTRA Biggest Breakthrough as she continues to build traction with her distinctive sound.

She said: “I’ve just been handed the Global Player Award for the biggest breakthrough by Capital XTRA and I have to say a big thank you to all my listeners, to everyone who’s been working with me from the beginning of Shake It to the Max. I love you all. Thank you so much and I’m so excited for 2026.”

Sombr wins Radio X’s Biggest Breakthrough following a year of serious momentum across the indie scene, and Chrystal secures Capital Dance Biggest Breakthrough for bringing fresh, energetic production to the station’s line-up.

Elton John is named Global Player Awards Legend for 2025. The title celebrates artists who have been active for more than twenty years and remain among the most listened to across all Global stations.

Elton said: “A huge thank you to Global for naming me your Global Player Awards Legend 2025. All the support and love you’ve shown me and my music over the years really does mean a lot. And a massive heartfelt thank you to all the generations of fans who keep tuning in and keep discovering my music.”

Post Malone’s collaboration with Morgan Wallen, I Had Some Help, is revealed as the most listened to track across Global’s stations this year, taking the Award for Biggest Song.

In podcasting, Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files with Jamie Rubin was named Biggest New Podcast.

Christiane said: “Thank you for the Global Player Award 2025 for being the biggest new podcast of the year.

“Honestly it’s amazing, I never thought this would be the case. I’d love to thank everybody who’s been listening, who’s been watching on YouTube and of course to Global.”

The News Agents is crowned Best Podcast Show and remains the most listened to podcast on the platform thanks to its sharp, fast-paced take on the day’s agenda.

Founder and Executive President Ashley Tabor-King CBE said: “We are delighted to launch the Global Player Awards, based entirely on what people are choosing to listen to every day.

“And a huge congratulations to Ed Sheeran, Myles Smith and Teddy Swims for reaching two billion listens across the year, a truly phenomenal achievement.”