Deal secures accolades for three more years

Audible has become the new sponsor of the Edinburgh Comedy Awards under a three-year deal announced today.

The audiobook and podcast company will back  the best comedy show award and the panel prize given in the ‘spirit of the Fringe’/

DLT Entertainment will continue to sponsor the Taffner Family Best Newcomer Award, a role it has held before.

The awards, now in their 46th year, have a long history of singling out comedians early in their careers. Past winners include Stephen Fry, Steve Coogan, Lee Evans, Al Murray, Sarah Millican, Omid Djalili, Eddie Izzard, Tim Minchin, Jenny Eclair, Frank Skinner and the sketch group The League of Gentlemen.

Nica Burns, director of the Edinburgh Comedy Awards who is pictured with Audible comedy commissioner Sam Bryant, said of the new sponsor: ‘It is clear to us that they are committed to live comedy and the pleasure that it brings to so many people. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful collaboration with them.’

Lisa Higginson, senior director of regional content at Audible, added: ’The Edinburgh Comedy Awards have launched the careers of some of Britain’s most beloved comedians, and we’re thrilled to support the next chapter of that legacy. 

‘At Audible, we’re very proud of our brilliant Audible Original comedy slate, which has featured many of the previous prize winners and nominees. We’re delighted to be working with the Edinburgh Comedy Awards to see what the next generation of talent brings to the industry.’

The sponsorship was announced at a launch event at @sohoplace, the West End theatre owned by Burns, with a  new logo also unveiled. 

The prize money for the Audible Best Comedy Show will be £10,000, with £5,000 each awarded to the Taffner Family Best Newcomer and Audible Panel Prize winner.

Donald Taffner Jr, chairman of DLT Entertainment,  ’Comedy has always been at the heart of my family and my business. Supporting the Edinburgh Comedy Awards is not simply a sponsorship for us. It is an opportunity to celebrate and encourage the extraordinary creativity, originality and risk-taking that make live comedy so special.’

This year’s panel will be announced on July 8.  The shortlist will be revealed on Wednesday August 26  and the winners announced at a ceremony in Edinburgh on Saturday August 29.

Published: 17 Jun 2026