In March 2013, NPR announcedthat it would end production of Talk of the Nation (TOTN) as of June 28, 2013. Since then, KUER has actively researched potential replacements for this much loved program. While we'll miss Talk of the Nation, our new midday lineup features some of the best shows in public media.
On July 1, tune-in for the debut of The Takeawayfeaturing host John Hockenberry. A seasoned journalist, Hockenberry encourages listeners to join the national conversation on current news events. A production of PRI and WNYC, The Takeaway will air weekdays from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on 90.1.
Then, get a jump-start on your drive-time as we expand NPR's All Things Considered to 3 p.m. This means that Fresh Air and The World will air one hour earlier: Fresh Air at 1 p.m. and The World at 2 p.m. And for fans of Science Friday, the show will continue to air Fridays at noon. As we broadcast Science Friday on 90.1, we'll stream The Takeaway and Fresh Air on K2 and kuer.org from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
You might have heard that the Car Talk guys threw in the towel last year with their retirement announcement. KUER has continued to air the show since then as a service to longtime listeners, but with the discontinuation of Talk of the Nation we felt the time was right to replace Car Talk as well. We're moving up Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! to Saturdays at 10 a.m., and we'll follow the show with NPR's Snap Judgment. If you love This American Life and Radiolab, check out Snap Judgment- featuring real stories from real people with a musical narrative.
But wait...there's more! As we listened to shows as part of our programming research, we discovered APM's Wits. Hosted by John Moe and recorded live on-stage at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul (home of Lake Wobegon), the show features a mix of improv, sketch comedy, conversation and music with a variety of guests including actors, comedians and musicians. Wits will replace the Saturday broadcast of Selected Shorts at 7 p.m. Selected Shorts will continue to air Sundays at 7 p.m.
KUER's new program schedule hits the airwaves on July 1, 2013 - with weekend changes happening on July 6, 2013. Listen to the new shows and let us know what you think. Contact us or comment to this post and we'll be in touch. And if you'd like to reach out to Neal Conan and the staff of Talk of the Nation, they'd love to hear from you - contact info is included below. Thanks for your ongoing support of KUER!
KUER's new weekday line-up:
The Takeaway, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. (K2/kuer.org Fridays at 12 p.m.)
Fresh Air, 1 p.m to 2 p.m. (K2/kuer.org Fridays at 1 p.m.)
The World, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
All Things Considered, 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Science Friday, Fridays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
KUER's new Saturday line-up:
Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Snap Judgment, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Wits, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Contact information:
KUER: John Greene(General Manager) / Tristin Tabish(Content Director)
NPR: Listener Services (1-202-513-3232) / submit an email
Talk of the Nation: Sue Goodwin, Executive Director / Neal Conan, Host