Clear Channel Radio says the new channel on its iHeartRadio digital radio service will feature premier programming from WNYC, the nation’s most listened-to public radio station, including three news-talk shows: “The Brian Lehrer Show,” “The Leonard Lopate Show,” and “The Takeaway,” a co-production of WNYC and Public Radio International (PRI).
Featured shows on WNYC News & Conversation:
• “The Takeaway” – Daily, national morning news program that delivers the news, cultural stories and analysis that listeners need to catch up, start their day and prepare for what’s ahead. Hosted by John Hockenberry and Celeste Headlee, the show is a unique partnership of global news leaders, co-produced by WNYC Radio and PRI, in collaboration with the BBC World Service, The New York Times and WGBH Boston.
• “The Brian Lehrer Show” – Peabody Award-winning, daily public affairs and news call-in program, hosted by Brian Lehrer, featuring interviews with local, national and international newsmakers, politicians, and cultural figures, as well as everyday Americans impacted by current events.
• “The Leonard Lopate Show” – Daily arts and culture talk show, hosted by Leonard Lopate, that features conversations with writers, actors, ex-presidents, dancers, scientists, comedians, historians, grammarians, curators, filmmakers and do-it-yourself experts. The show includes several weekly segments, including “Underreported,” which gives an in-depth look into stories that are overlooked by the media, and “Please Explain,” in which Lopate interviews an expert to get to the bottom of a complex topic.
RBR-TVBR observation: Clear Channel has been putting most of its efforts lately into iHeartRadio, adding music discovery and bringing in content from other companies, such as Univision Radio, EMF’s K-LOVE and Air1 Contemporary Christian stations and now this. The goal is to get as many clicks, downloads, users and listens as possible. Regardless if the content comes from other providers than Clear Channel, the critical mass of making iHeartRadio a major destination for online listeners will sum up to greater ad dollars.