NPR Outlines Proposed Clock Changes

NPR is changing the clocks for Morning Edition and All Things Considered. EVP and Chief Content Officer Kinsey Wilson and SVP of News Margaret Lowe Smith made the announcement in a memo to stations and during a webinar yesterday.

The email, in part, says:

Dear Station Colleagues,

"Today we are announcing changes to the NPR newsmagazine clocks that are designed to keep listeners tuning in even as we confront new competition for their time and attention.

"These changes give Member Stations new flexibility to meet local audience needs while ensuring that Morning Edition and All Things Considered remain vibrant national programs that continue to fuel the public radio economy. We’ve worked through many complex decisions and balanced a variety of sometimes competing needs to arrive at this point.

"As part of this work, we’ve arranged with APM to make Marketplace Morning Report a regular part of Morning Edition. You’ll receive a separate note about that momentarily."

And ...

"The new clocks are based on research into how the audience uses radio today and best practices in local and national programming. The clocks were designed in close consultation with Member Station colleagues over many months and have been tested with listeners.

"Meanwhile, there have been profound changes in the advertising marketplace that are putting pressure on our underwriting revenue. Changes to funding credits are designed to maintain the value of corporate underwriting without diminishing the listener experience or compromising our noncommercial mission and values.

"We also took a fresh look at the local/national programming mix, recognizing that many Member Stations have expanded their local news operations in response to changes in their markets. We’ve attempted to provide added flexibility for you, while preserving the national identity of the newsmagazines.

"The clocks are not yet final. The NPR/Member Station working group — comprised of both GMs and PDs — took great care with this work. But we want to make sure we didn’t overlook substantial issues. A survey to capture your feedback will be available starting tomorrow and will remain open through July 9.

"Once the clocks are finalized, stations and NPR will have time to prepare for the change. We expect the new clocks to launch Sept. 22. Resources will be available to help you get ready. Because of changes to funding credits, there will be small adjustments to clocks for all NPR-distributed programs, including weekend shows."