Michael Arnold to lead Indiana Public Media

Michael Arnold was hired as executive director of Indiana Public Media in Bloomington, the dual licensee that operates television station WTIU and radio station WFIU.

Indiana Public Media is owned by Indiana University. Arnold’s role will be within the Media School at the institution, according to a news release. He will also provide oversight of student media. He will start the job Sept. 22.

“Michael Arnold brings a vision and a proven track record of innovation and success, which will strengthen Indiana Public Media during this critical time,” said David Tolchinsky, dean of the Media School, in a news release. “His leadership in public service media and his strategic approach to integrated platforms will help us expand our reach, connect public media to the educational mission of The Media School, and deepen our impact across Indiana and beyond.”

Arnold is currently chief audience and content officer for KUNC and the Colorado Sound in Greeley, Colo. Before that, he was associate director and COO of Wisconsin Public Radio, a position he resigned from in 2022.

Arnold has also held director roles at Public Radio International and was VP of programming at New Hampshire Public Radio. Other positions include PD of WUNC in Chapel Hill, N.C.; associate GM and PD for WWNO in New Orleans; and program service manager at Northwest Public Broadcasting. He started his career in media in 1989 as a producer and later news director for WBAA in West Lafayette, Ind.

“This is a moment of tremendous possibility for public media,” Arnold said in the news release. “I’m honored to lead a team that is deeply committed to storytelling, innovation and serving the public interest.”