Quick Takes
PRI/PRX lays off six employees
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“For us to be successful, we had to streamline our organization,” said CEO Kerri Hoffman.
Programs/Content
After merger of PRI and PRX, ‘both companies will be affected in some way’
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The companies’ union is affecting personnel, programming and PRI’s relationship with WGBH.
PRI, PRX merge to form new organization
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PRX’s Kerri Hoffman will run the new organization, while PRI’s Alisa Miller will move into a board leadership role.
Quick Takes
‘Science Friday’ partners with WNYC on distribution
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As part of the agreement, WNYC will also handle sponsorship for “Science Friday.”
Programs/Content
PRI becomes investor in public radio’s ‘Live Wire’
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The live variety show is adding episodes devoted to in-studio interviews.
Programs/Content
Connecting with people who think public radio isn’t for them
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With road trips to red states and dialogues about race and identity, producers for “The Takeaway” will hold out a microphone to people whose voices have been marginalized.
Obituaries
Longtime public radio professional Vidal Guzmán drowns trying to save son
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Colleagues remember Guzmán for his bravery, character and dedication to family.
System/Policy
A reader asks: What’s Public Radio International’s future within WGBH?
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We’re answering the question for the latest story in our Currently Curious series.
Programs/Content
PRI develops tool to change how readers engage with its journalism
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StoryAct will suggest ways that readers can take action.
Programs/Content
BBC cuts hundreds of jobs, increases funding for World Service
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The pubcaster is restructuring its news division, with little effect on programs airing on stateside pubmedia.
Programs/Content
Public Radio International launches podcast network SoundWorks
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SoundWorks launched Thursday with four podcasts, and PRI plans to add more in coming weeks.
System/Policy
Deep cuts at CBC spare shows airing on U.S. public radio
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Canada’s public broadcasting network is eliminating 657 jobs after suffering cuts in federal funding and the loss of a broadcast license for National Hockey League games.
Programs/Content
PRI adds variety to program slate with acquisition of Live Wire
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Public Radio International is adding the Portland, Ore.–based variety show Live Wire to its programming lineup, the distributor announced Monday. Live Wire, which bills itself as “radio variety for the ADD generation,” is independently produced and currently airs on 48 stations nationwide. PRI will take over distribution of the weekly show beginning July 1, the same day it ends distribution of its widest carried program, This American Life. “Since we started the show we were hoping to gain the attention of a national distributor,” said Robyn Tenenbaum, Live Wire co-creator and e.p. The program launched in 2004 and shops itself to stations with the help of digital distribution tools from Public Radio Exchange. Though representatives from NPR and American Public Media were “aware of us” and NPR programming VP Eric Nuzum attended a taping, PRI was the first distributor to make an offer, Tenenbaum said.
Programs/Content
PRI, Byliner partner for e-book adaptations of Studio 360
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Public Radio International and e-publishing startup Byliner will bring “enhanced e-book” versions of Studio 360 episodes to audiences this month.
Programs/Content
Flatow finds more traction for ‘Science Friday’ in PRI distribution
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After two decades as a weekly NPR program, the 22-year-old Science Friday is preparing to shake things up. With its move to Public Radio International distribution on Jan. 1, the talk show has ambitious plans to put its content into wider distribution through collaborations with PRI series such as The World and The Takeaway as well as with the PBS science program Nova. WGBH in Boston, which acquired PRI in 2012, is involved in production of all three major series, opening new cross-platform distribution and branding opportunities. A new educational specialist is working to turn more of Science Friday’s content into curricular materials, and PRI is exploring ways to offer its programming through PBS Learning Media, the online resource providing free media and lesson plans to K–12 educators.
Programs/Content
New PRI.org highlights network’s focus on global news
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Public Radio International has revamped its website to absorb the web presence of PRI’s The World, reflecting the network’s aim to develop a higher profile in international news. The new site gives greater prominence to international news from The World and other PRI programs. The World “is increasingly, for us, a journalism brand,” said Michael Skoler, PRI’s v.p. of interactive media. Previously, The World had its own website at TheWorld.org. It now redirects to PRI.org. PRI has combined the previously separate staff and resources for the two sites.
Programs/Content
Radio Ambulante partners with PRI to produce English-language content
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Radio Ambulante, the Spanish-language storytelling podcast and radio program, is the first show to be backed by Public Radio International’s New Voices Fund.
Programs/Content
WNYC, Takeaway encourage stations to take it apart
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Public radio’s The Takeaway has more than doubled its carriage since cancellation of NPR’s Talk of the Nation, and the show’s producers are working to add even more outlets by building news collaborations with station-based reporters and programmers.
Programs/Content
Flatow moves Science Friday to PRI distribution
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Science Friday, the weekly NPR series hosted by Ira Flatow, is pairing with Public Radio International in a new distribution deal to take effect in January 2014. The agreement calls for Science Friday, a signature element of NPR’s science coverage since its 1991 launch, to continue as a weekly radio broadcast under PRI distribution. In addition, Flatow and his producers will collaborate with PRI series The World, The Takeaway and Studio 360 to develop multi-platform content around science topics. “We’re excited to work with PRI to expand their science and technology coverage,” Flatow said in a PRI news release. “PRI shares our vision of serving the public by telling compelling stories about timely issues.