New York Public Radio, which operates Public News/Talk 93.9 WNYC-FM New York and Classical 105.9 WQXR Newark NJ, is launching the “Station-to-Station Programming Project” to make its nationally distributed programming available to at-risk public radio stations at no cost.
NYPR says that all stations facing significant financial challenges are eligible to participate in the Station-to-Station Programming Project. For public media organizations receiving 10% or more of their budget from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) (approximately 64% of the public radio system), the WNYC Distribution portfolio will be available at no cost. Larger stations facing challenges will also be eligible to participate on an as-needed basis. NYPR will also extend the program to non-commercial educational broadcasters who were not previously part of the CPB cohort but who provide service to their local communities.
The program will take effect on October 1 for the start of the federal fiscal year when previously the CPB would begin the process of calculating and distributing station grants. At launch eight programs will be made available: WNYC’s Radiolab, On the Media, Terrestrials, WNYC and The New Yorker’s New Yorker Radio Hour, WQXR and Carnegie Hall’s Carnegie Hall Live, Freakonomics Radio Network’s Freakonomics, Vox’s Today Explained, and Science Friday.
NYPR President/CEO/Executive Chair LaFontaine Oliver said, “This is a consequential and urgent moment for public media. CPB funding has been a cornerstone of the public media landscape for nearly 60 years, and the speed of its elimination puts stations at immediate risk. We want to help our fellow public radio stations devote as much of their budgets as possible to the excellent local reporting and original programming that keep communities healthy and bring them together. Local news is essential to protecting our democracy, and in this moment, we want to do our part to help ensure that all Americans continue to have access to this critical public resource. This project is a meaningful way to provide peer-to-peer support, and we are grateful to our partners at Freakonomics and Science Friday for joining us.”
Science Friday founder and host Ira Flatow added, “We are undeterred. At a time when scientific discoveries are impacting our lives at the most rapid rate in history, everyone loses if science and news are put behind a paywall. We will not waver in our mission. Science Friday is happy to partner with NYPR to deliver accessible science news to ensure all Americans have access to the science that helps them make the best health, environmental, and tech decisions for themselves and their communities.”
Science Friday host Flora Lichtman stated, “Providing the public with trustworthy and accurate scientific information has never been more vital. Mis- and disinformation are on the rise; pseudoscience is trumpeted from the highest levels of government; and public trust in science is declining. In this environment, Science Friday’s science news coverage—and our commitment to give the public direct access to scientists—is an essential service.”
Finally WNYC Studios Vice President Emily Botein added, “We take great pride in our mission and the public interest programming we create—for our local and national audiences, and our partners across the system. NYPR isn’t only a producer or a distributor—we’re also home to WNYC and WQXR, two local stations that are deeply woven into the fabric of New York City. We understand what stations need to keep their local audiences engaged as listeners and members, and we want to do all we can to keep that bond strong for our friends and peers across the country—with programming that informs, engages, entertains, and inspires.”
