Influencer

Webby Awards Taps Comedian & Content Creator Josh Johnson to Host 30th Annual Ceremony

Published on March 27, 2026

The Webby Awards will hold its 30th annual ceremony on May 11 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, with comedian, writer, and creator Josh Johnson serving as host.

Johnson is an Emmy-nominated and NAACP award-winning writer, stand-up comedian, and actor who made his late-night debut in 2017 as a writer on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” He currently serves as a rotating host and correspondent on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning program.

Johnson maintains an active presence across social media platforms, with more than 10 million followers. His YouTube channel has accumulated more than half a billion views. In 2025, he released 38 hours of topical stand-up material recorded before live audiences. He recently concluded his “FLOWERS TOUR,” a sold-out run spanning 112 cities.

“I’m really honored to be hosting this year’s Webbys,” Johnson said in a statement. “The internet and social media we have can be pretty devastating sometimes, so to come together and celebrate more of the internet we want is a dream.”

The Event

The 30th Annual Webby Awards will recognize achievements across podcasts, AI, websites, creators, video and film, social media, games, apps, and software, and additional categories. The ceremony will also feature the Webby Awards’ five-word acceptance speech tradition.

Jesse Feister, Executive Director of Webby Media Group, said the organization “couldn’t be more excited” to have Johnson host. “Josh continues to push boundaries and earn acclaim for himself, combining sharp wit with an empathetic instinct for championing the voices in our community,” Feister stated.

Nominees for this year’s awards will be announced on March 31. This year’s submission pool included over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. Previous winners include Apple, Netflix, YouTube, Duolingo, Kendrick Lamar, and Taylor Swift, among others.

The Webby Awards were established in 1996 and presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. The New York Times has referred to the awards as the “Internet’s highest honor.”

Cover photo credit: John Cafaro