After a 21-year run, fans of NPR's Talk of the Nation show, which is broadcast on 407 radio stations including Baltimore affiliate WYPR, will have to say goodbye at the end of June.
The show is hosted by Neal Conan, who will "step away from the rigors of daily journalism after 35 years at NPR," according to a statement.
WYPR airs one hour of the national talk show from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. A representative for the local station declined to comment on the impact of the cancellation and referred a reporter to NPR's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
"Talk of the Nation is a wonderful show and its been well-received by local stations and listeners alike," said Cara Philbin, media relations publicist for NPR. "But the show is call-in programming ... and today's news environment demands a digital format."
Philbin said local affiliates will use their discretion to fill in the Talk of the Nation slot with alternate programming of their choice, but an expanded form of Here & Now, a show produced by Boston affiliate WBUR since 1997, has been suggested.
The show became national syndicated in 2001, and airs on more than 180 stations.
The New York Times reports that NPR is starting to pitch Here & Now to stations starting Friday morning.
Philbin said the updated Here & Now will feature national coverage and will also emphasize breaking news reporting. The show will also connect to listeners through social media channels.
"It's a multiplatform show," she said.
In the statement, officials said the show will also feature interviews with NPR bloggers, reporters and editors.
Here & Now is now hosted by Robin Young, but will include co-host Jeremy Hobson—currently host of Marketplace Morning Report—when the expanded program launches on July 1, according to the statement. Meghna Chakrabarti, co-host of WBUR's Radio Boston, will be the main back up host.
Science Friday with Ira Flatow, the Friday version of Talk of the Nation, will continue as part of Hear & Now, according to the statement.
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