System/Policy
Upside to digital acquisitions: reaching audiences where they are
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Stations have found that monetizing their local news sites takes experimentation and “a lot of learning.”
Programs/Content
APM’s ‘Splendid Table’ podcast to be distributed by Vox Media
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“The Splendid Table” airs on more than 400 public radio stations.
System/Policy
Pubmedia faces financial, governance challenges in filling local news ‘void,’ new report says
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The Ralph Nader–founded public interest group Center for Study of Responsive Law released the study Thursday.
Development
Children’s podcast clubs grow membership for WBUR, Vermont Public
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A new membership program for Vermont Public’s “But Why” children’s podcast is bringing in new donors.
People
WXXI names World executive Chris Hastings as next CEO
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GBH appointed Nina Chaudry of “Frontline” to succeed him as EP.
System/Policy
Unions for freelance writers seek new deal with GBH, WNET and PBS SoCal
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The public television freelance agreement expires Oct. 9.
System/Policy
PBS and APTS advocate for pubcasters in proposed FCC local content incentive
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PBS and APTS want NCE stations to get the same proposed benefit as stations providing the minimum amount of “locally originated programming.”
People
How these new station leaders are expanding community service while managing change
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Four GMs and CEOs who started in their roles in 2023 discuss their priorities in uncertain times.
Programs/Content
New series from Vision Maker, ‘Nova’ showcases Native American filmmakers and climate change
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Six short films from Native American filmmakers focused on climate change make up the series from GBH’s “Nova” and Vision Maker Media.
System/Policy
NPR’s Katherine Maher tackles big questions about public media’s role
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In a PMDMC keynote, Maher described building a “common national fabric” for civic dialogue and defining what audiences want.
System/Policy
Forensic report on CapRadio finds ‘unsupported payments’
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Names were redacted in the report due to an “ongoing law enforcement investigation and privacy.”
Obituaries
NPR correspondent Ina Jaffe dies at 75
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Jaffe, a former actor, reported for NPR from 1985 to 2022.
Programs/Content
KERA’s ‘Think’ to be distributed by PRX
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Hosted by Krys Boyd, the hourlong talk show airs on more than 200 stations.
People
Brad Dancer named GM of WSHU Public Radio
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Dancer replaces Rima Dael, who left in December to become CEO of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters.
People
Fred Child to leave ‘Performance Today’ next year
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The longtime host will leave the program in October 2025.
System/Policy
Former WAMU/DCist staffers raise money for new newsroom
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The 51st is planned to begin as a newsletter, with the goal of starting publication in the fall.
System/Policy
AIR launches survey to assess freelance audio professionals’ rates
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Submissions by Aug. 7 will be used for a 2024 update to AIR’s rate guides.
People
Univision Los Angeles exec Alejandra Santamaria to lead LAist, Southern California Public Radio
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Santamaria takes the helm this month at SCPR, which operates LAist, and replaces CEO Herb Scannell, whose retirement was announced in September.
System/Policy
LAist cuts 28 positions with buyouts, layoffs
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The station offered the voluntary buyouts in May, with CCO Kristen Muller saying at the time the organization faced a budget shortfall over the next two years.
System/Policy
Public media’s pivot to local news requires deep change, Wyncote Foundation report finds
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Public media’s response to the problems facing local news has not been “commensurate” with the crisis, the report said.