On June 27, KSTX bids farewell to NPR’s long-running program “Talk of the Nation,” hosted by Neal Conan. NPR made the decision to discontinue production of the show to focus on a newsmagazine-style program for the midday, something many affiliate stations across the country said they wanted from NPR.
To that end, NPR is picking up distribution of WBUR’s “Here and Now” from PRI, beginning in July. KSTX listeners are already familiar with the midday program, hosted by Robin Young, and heard weekdays at noon. Starting in July, the program will expand to a two-hour format (broadcast from noon-2 p.m.), and will be co-hosted by Jeremy Hobson, most recently host of the “Marketplace Morning Report.” NPR will contribute editorial muscle to the program, which will feature regular interviews with NPR’s bloggers, reporters, and editors.
KSTX will be adding one new program to the lineup as part of the switch. From PRI and WNYC, “The Takeaway” is hosted by the award-winning journalist John Hockenberry. Featuring diverse voices and unique conversations about the topics of the day, “The Takeaway” will be heard at 11:00 a.m., beginning July 1.
“Fresh Air” will be moving to a new time slot – 2:00 p.m. Its 9 p.m. rebroadcast will continue.
Fans of “Science Friday” may be wondering, what do all these changes mean for Ira Flatow and a show that has become appointment listening for many? Well, we’re happy to report that “Science Friday” will remain on KSTX’s broadcast schedule from 1 – 3 p.m. each Friday, where it will continue to cover topics from the outer reaches of space, to the tiniest microbes in our bodies.
New weekday lineup:
11:00 a.m. The Takeaway
12:00 p.m. Here and Now
2:00 p.m. Fresh Air
Exception: Fridays from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Science Friday