UPDATE: NPR slashes programming; will KUOW make lemonade?

UPDATE: The Conversation (KUOW m-f 1-2) will discuss today NPR Layoffs -- how did National Public Radio get into financial trouble? Appearing will be Dana Davis Rehm,NPR's  Senior Vice President for Strategy & Partnerships. Call in your thoughts before the show to The Conversation feedback line, (206) 221-3663.

So what should KUOW do with the new hour freed up at noon on weekdays?

NPR announced Wednesday that due to revenue shortfalls, it would cut 64 jobs and  cancel two weekday programs, Day to Day, (KUOW m-f,12-1p)  and News & Notes (KXOT, m-f, 11p-12a).

Last day for these two: March 20.

"We have quite a bit of time to figure out what we're going to do," KUOW program director Jeff Hansen told the P-I's Bill Virgin.

KUOW's got the money. Unlike NPR, he says, "we haven't been affected by that -- yet. Things are looking about normal for us, so far."

Hansen said KUOW met its goal for its fall fundraising campaign, despite it was in a week of bad economic news. That it met its goal is an indication, Hansen says, that "what we do is still of value to our listeners."

(photo: KUOW's PD Jeff Hansen)

KUOW gets all syndicated after 2p weekdays (weekends too except for the venerable The Swing Years ) but will KUOW shrivel a little more in prudential terror or will they boldly take on the day, (as Dr. Laura would say) and see this for the opportunity it is?

Could this unplanned hole in the middle of their day mean development of a sleek new innovative local show for a station that once produced shows like the late, great Rewind (with Bill Radke); The Works (with John Moe) and others we can't even remember at the moment?

Could KUOW be more like Bonneville? They (KIRO, KIROFM) also have capital in this wretched economy but they're taking the opportunity to expand both in Seattle, and nationally.

Could it happen that somehow we could get something in a show that's riskier, less establishmentarian, and younger than those good ol' wagons, Weekday, The Conversation, and Sound Focus? -- less gardening, nostalgia, harmonicas, thoughtful dithering and weather. More generational and political diversity, humor and perchance something more provocative?

Could KUOW develop a new talent or two? We mean besides news readers another personality or two: it's been awhile, and in the long, long meantime, the station has lost a few of its best voices. (Radke, Moe, Luke Burbank).

We have high hopes that KUOW will make lemonade out of the loss of Alex Chadwick. We're hoping they'll not hunker down into the depths of timidity under the guise of prudence.

Got any ideas for them?

Comments

[joanie]

KUOW is a good sedative on a sleepless night. I think I'll go try it.

[Big picture]

This is a wonderful chance for KUOW to look hard at what they are doing, and who they are reaching. Yes, I know that they have good ratings, but really, their programming has gone downhill in the last couple of years.

If KUOW is really serious about attracting a younger demographic, this is a great time to ditch To The Point. Warren Olney sounds like my great-grandfather on speed.

KUOW's attempts to attract younger audiences are pretty embarrassing, though, with a series of This American Life clones like Wiretap -- listeners can only take whiny, nasal voices if they have interesting things to say. Studio 360 isn't bad, and Radio Lab is pretty good. You'd think that with all the high-tech talent around here, somebody local could be the next Ira Glass.

But most of KUOW's local shows are awful, like Sound Focus. Beck, Yandel and Sukys are three of the worst interviewers KUOW has, and the show is unfocused, shallow and silly.

Veterans Steve Scher and Ross Reynolds are hanging in there, but I feel like they are increasingly lost among a sea of mediocrity. One day soon, they won't come back from one of their long sabbaticals.

Maybe KUOW can pick up some of the folks NPR is laying off. Or they could bring back Bill Radke, who seems to be moldering in southern California. The last time I heard him, he was on the Marketplace Morning Report -- jeez!

KUOW folks, if you really have the money you say you do, it's time to spend it on bringing in somebody like Doug Berman or Jim Russell -- people who know how to invent successful public radio shows.

[sue b.]

Kuow: wake up! wake me up!

[Rev]

Here's my prediction: Hanson will follow the path of least resistance and move "Talk of the Nation" from KXOT back to KUOW, and put Olney's "To the Point" on KXOT, along with something else off the satellite.

What they should do is to pour resources into the Northwest News Network and produce a quality daily regional news show, jointly with Oregon Public Broadcasting, Northwest Public Radio, and CBC British Columbia. But I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

[Someone who knows KUOW]

KUOW needs to spend some of their money. There has been nothing creative They have been sitting on their asses and their reserves for years. WBEZ in Chicago just had some cut-backs, but at least they have some interesting ideas and innovations on the air to show for their money. This station is a shadow of its former self, and it's never really been anything special. Its for old people, and as Luke Burbank says: they'll all be dead in 10 years! Why doesn't anyone ever say this anywhere but this blog?

[Sky King]

With all that news staffing: when was the last KUOW investigative "scoop?"Answer: there wasn't one, silly. They are too safely (and cheaply) ensconced in long, depthy features than digging in real news. Northwest News Networks has more resources than most news orgaizations in the region. Where's the meat? When will they do something besides monday through friday nine to five journalism that might Answer: like never.

[Sky King]

the last sentence should have read, "When will they do something besides monday through friday nine to five journalism that might step on somebody's toes? Answer: like never.

[Penny]

Anyone want to make a bet as to how long it will take nevets to point out that the imminent cold spell means that global warming is fake?

[chucks]

We do not need nevets to point out that global warming is fake. The world is beginning to figure it out without any help from nevets.
Global warming, brought to you be the creaters of Y2K and the 1970's comming of the new ice age.

[AuthenticAndrew]

I would like KUOW let locals on the air for an hour similar to public access. Everytime they say "Nation Public Radio" I often where what public? The effete liberal public?

I want to hear whoever has a case make their case.

[KPLU Listener]

"Here's my prediction: Hanson will follow the path of least resistance and move "Talk of the Nation" from KXOT back to KUOW, and put Olney's "To the Point" on KXOT, along with something else off the satellite.

What they should do is to pour resources into the Northwest News Network and produce a quality daily regional news show, jointly with Oregon Public Broadcasting, Northwest Public Radio, and CBC British Columbia. But I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to happen."

!!!! I second this comment!

:( It looks even less likely since OPB axed "Oregon Considered" last year. I think that was a mistake. That 1/2 hour news magazine in the afternoon was wonderful.

[nevets]

Penny, Chucks is right, I to believe more people are finding that Gorebal Warming is just a hoax without my help. Just ask the 650 International scientist who also are not falling for it. Care to refute thier claims.

[PugetSound]

Ah Nevets, you were there calling it fake when calling it fake wasn't cool.

Wonder when we'll get Sparky to own up to it. She still hasn't fessed up to the 49 percent claim that 17 year old GG called her on.

And ph(J)oanie, well it's too late for her.

[PugetSound]

Ah Nevets, you were there calling it fake when calling it fake wasn't cool.

Wonder when we'll get Sparky to own up to it. She still hasn't fessed up to the 49 percent claim that 17 year old GG called her on.

And ph(J)oanie, well it's too late for her.

[chucks]

OK Putz, but now I am concerned. That link is to the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Not what I could consider a "trusted source".

[PugetSound]

ah, but that is Repub Senator James Inhofe.

He use to be head of the Committee looking at Global Warming but got pushed off that when the Dems took control of the Senate in 06.
But he's spot on about this Global Warming.

[PugetSound]

Tommy 008
You're call on Obama and his politics may be vindicated. Wonder if you'll get an apology from those that harshed on you earlier.

[RadioWonkLance]

I agree that it would be best to start another local program somehow distinct from the three existing ones (e.g. recruit Radke back and let him do whatever he wants for an hour), but I also suspect they'll do something cheaper.

I expect to see "Hear and Now" from WBUR and PRI placed in the slot, as it is a very similar program in many ways to "Day to Day".

I would note that in head-to-head competition, PRI is 2-for-2 against NPR lately. "The Takeaway" continues while "the Bryant Park Project" is dead, and it looks like "Hear and Now" will continue instead of "Day to Day." Of course, if they actually took on a powerhouse NPR show instead of non-core fare, that would be a much more significant accomplishments.

[nevets]

Puts, did you happen to catch Kerry calling for China and India to reduce thier CO2 output before Congress will act. Wasn't that the reason Bush never signed onto the Kyoto Protocol and was criticized for. Looks like the Libs are are finally getting it to. Another flip-flop.

[PugetSound]

I did catch that. As usual you're spot on.
You know the deal though. Kind of like that 49 percent thing that GG caught Sparky on. You will never get them to own up to the fact that they were wrong. It's just part of that intellectual dishonesty inherent in many of 'em.

But like with the Gov of Illinois situation, the usual suspects are off line and refusing to come on to discuss. You know the 'school teachers.' Probably busy 'grading papers' which always comes up when bad news for Dems is in the news. Over on Daily Kos and Demy Underground this stuff about Obama's seat is getting little play. Instead they are still harping on W, Scooter Libby, et al.

Hell, even the 17 year old sees through it.

[chucks]

Hey Putz, I am more than willing to own up to the fact that they were wrong. It frightens me that so many are willing to buy in to some such crap because algore, Olbermann, Maddow, Randi and other partisan hacks tell them that that is the way it is. Facts be damned.

[PugetSound]

Me too, Chucks. Me too.
Funny is that they would be the first to accuse you of being a mindless 'ditto- head' yet if Randi or Maddow or Olberman say it then it must be true. Double true if it is Daily Kos.

Hey, next time you respond to the pledge drive you should remember that:

"Those Soft-Voiced Anchors at NPR Make the Big Bucks
By Tim Graham | December 12, 2008 - 12:01
Josh Gerstein, a former reporter for ABC News and the New York Sun, blogged about how National Public Radio -- now laying off 64 employees and shutting down two programs -- has some perhaps surprising salary figures for a somewhat public media outlet:

NPR reported its five highest paid employees were:
1. Managing Editor Barbara Rehm, $383,139
2. All Things Considered host Robert Siegel [pictured], $350,288
3. Morning Edition host Renee Montagne, $332,160
4. Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep, $331,242

[chucks]

I don't begrudge them their pay checks, Putz. That does not seem out of line for national talent. Even if they are libs and I disagree with everything they stand for. They are working.
Heck, I think the nine year old that lives next door to me makes that doing movies.
Heck, I'm trying to find the angle to make that kind of money. LOL

[PugetSound]

I don't begrudge private sector but it's time for NPR -to which I listen to and donate also- to go public and get off the public teet. But I could be wrong...and usually am!

[PugetSound]

Oh ph(J)oanie:
How many times have you regaled us with your claims about how Dems are so above corruption and petty politics. I thought of you when reading this little comment from an NPR Contributing Editor:

"Among U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's bill of particulars is the charge that (Democrat) Gov. Blagojevich sought to rescind a state payment of $8 million to Children's Memorial Hospital if their CEO failed to organize a $50,000 contribution to the governor.

Many shameless politicians would send free turkeys to a children's hospital. The publicity is good, and it might help them sleep at night. But this (Democrat) governor was willing to stint on their care if a hospital official didn't oblige him with cash."

Plenty of Bad Repubs out there and I hope we root everyone out. Would be good to see some acknowledgment from the Dem side. But like the 49 percent dealie, probably won't happen.

GG, go get 'em.

[sancho panza]

Well, Michael, this one's for you:

"ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (MarketWatch) --

PAUL B. FARRELL
Wall Street's 'Disaster Capitalism for Dummies'
14 reasons Main Street loses big while Wall Street sabotages democracy

Yes, we're dummies. You. Me. All 300 million of us. Clueless. We should be ashamed. We're obsessed about the slogans and rituals of "democracy," distracted by the campaign, polls, debates, rhetoric, half-truths and outright lies. McCain? Obama? Sorry to pop your bubble folks, but it no longer matters who's president."

I was at a party tonight and met a very nice guy from New Zealand. He said that his country hit economic bottom and out of the ashes arose a more social (read socialist) society and one that today is doing quite well and actually leads in certain areas like education.

He commented that the US was reminding him of those days. We are in for a bumpy ride.

I'm afraid we'll have to endure an awful lot of gassy blasts on the way to a solution.

Anyway, interesting read.

[The Beast Rabban (formerly Gay Gary)]

I was at a party tonight and met a very nice guy from New Zealand. He said that his country hit economic bottom and out of the ashes arose a more social (read socialist) society and one that today is doing quite well and actually leads in certain areas like education.

We don't need more "public education" (AKA welfare schools) in this country. As we've seen from test scores relative to the rest of the world, people like Joanie and Sparky have utterly failed us and made off with an unearned salary. Public school babysitters are worse than predatory mortgage brokers. End that experiment and bring in vocational training past the age of 12. We need to educate a nation of soldiers and industrial workers; the fluff the welfare schools teach has done nothing. Leave the arts and social sciences to the ruling class.

The thing that brought down this country isn't capitalism, it's egalitarianism. Not everyone needs to go to college. Not everyone needs to learn history or literature. 98% of the population needs to be on the assemblyline, which is how this country grew rich. Our "public" education system failed the country. Thankfully the market will correct this problem pretty fast. We're already seeing it start.

[PugetSound]

Those are some provocative thoughts, GG.
Wonder if the 'Schoolteachers' would take issue or do they just agree with that you wrote. I would expect that they'll agree about not everyone needing to go to college. They may disagree on the state of public education. But Obama himself seems to agree with you. He made a fairly strong statement -under the guise of 'security'- on it when it came to his own children. They have always been in private schools. Even when he was a State Senator and presumably not in need of such 'security.'Just another slap in the face to those who believe in public schools. But like the battered wife, as long as Obama is doing it to them then well...it's just all right for them to eat the dust from the Road Runner Cloud.
Should be interesting. Of course, if you can't get someone to even acknowledge simple misstatement of facts then it may be hard for GG to engage the 'schoolteachers' in a meaningful debate.
The rest of us kind of laugh at it.

[Mr. Whipple]

Just how many people named Rehm are there at NPR?! I knew about Diane Rehm, but Senior VP Dana Davis Rehm and Managing Editor Barbara Rehm?

Sounds like someone is getting Rehm-ed in more ways than one!

[nevets]

Nice article there Sancho. Interesting read. I like the last line.

"And since Wall Street's Disaster Capitalism coup de grace, we are rapidly morphing into a dangerous new government."

The real dummies are the Libs who keep voting in them socialist types like Pelosi, Reid, McDerrmot, Dicks, Kennedy, Kerry, Clinton, etc, etc, etc... to congress. Until they smarten up, this will only become worse. And with Obama about to become President, well, that is like putting the Fox incharge of the Hen house. What a mess the Libs have gotten us into in the last two years. Can they undo what they did?

[nevets]

Oh, and by chance was there 15 traits in the original article. I notice the evil Oil companies were left out. Is it because gas prices are coming down now and they dont look so evil anymore.

I for one am waiting to see what the profit of Exxon was last quarter. Surely cant be as high as it was the last 4 quarters or so could it.

[Kevin]

Meaningful debate w/ GG = Oxymoron

[PugetSound]

Looks to be that we are awash in Kennedy's.
RFK's son is looking to go for the empty Obama Seat in Chicago and JFK's daughter is going for the NY Senate Seat.

Nothing like the 'elective' process. For Dems, it's more like the 'selective' process.
Talk about your Limo Liberal Elitism at work.

[Butlerian Jihad]

and how does that make you feel?

[PugetSound]

Meaningful debate w/ GG = Oxymoron

Posted by: Kevin | December 13, 2008 at 07:52 PM

I like 'the other kevin'