What does NPR lack?
In your opinion what does NPR lack? What would make it more dynamic?
In my opinion radio in general (NPR included) lacks any sort of fictional story telling(I would not call selected short story telling thats just one actor reading a story) radio used to captivate this nation with episodic story telling. What happened? Radio could be as compelling as going to the theater or movies...why isn't it?
Van gogh dog go
delicious
diggThere seems to be a tendency to frame the "what NPR lacks" discussion as just another generation gap issue. Like so many things, I don't think it's that simple.
Adding more flavors of music, in fact adding back ANY music on public radio stations would be a positive boon. I'd like to hear everything from early music to noise music. How about radio theatre? I don't just mean OTR re-creations; I mean new, original drama and comedy produced for the radio. And how about more actual documentary work along the lines of Sound Print?
All of this is really just more range overall that would appeal to a wider age and interest range. Adding more of what you can't hear elsewhere is the crux of the biscuit, as Frank Zappa would say.
adding back ANY music on public radio stations would be a positive boon.
Most of the jazz shows have been purged from the lineup at WBEZ, and they are sorely missed. A lot of NPR affiliates around the country ditched music for talk programming. It's a shame, really...
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Please listen, then vote and comment if you are willing, to my 2 minutes of funk (sans funk)
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/805
Something PRI has.
A vowel.
Natalie Davis
http://gdreadradio.net
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1068
APM (American Public Media) has a vowel too. ;)
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Please listen, then vote and comment if you are willing, to my 2 minutes of funk (sans funk)
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/805
... and if there is a god, through September. Be sure to tip the waitpeople.
Natalie Davis
http://gdreadradio.net
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1068
NPR lacks obviously ethnic minority voices in network programming. They lack those voices in all facets: spoken voices and points of view.
I'm not trying to turn National Public Radio into Ethnic Public Radio, either. ;) There just aren't enough people who sound different from The NPR Stereotype on the airwaves. I'm not saying *I* sound different enough from the NPR sound, because I don't think I do.
NPR should make more of an effort to attract and present diverse voices, from both a programming and staffing standpoint. NPR shouldn't have a sound stereotype. Have a standard of excellence, and equally a standard of inclusiveness.
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Please listen, then vote and comment if you are willing, to my 2 minutes of funk (sans funk)
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/805
In Philly, the weekend features shows are all about the midwest!! Hours and hours of 'humor' that lacks anything resembling wit, irony, sarcasm (apparently that's an indication of the apocalypse or something)...oy. I'm white, already, so I don't need more of that in my life, and if I wanted to live in the midwest and be folksy, I WOULD LIVE IN THE MIDWEST AND BE FOLKSY!
One thing my NPR affiliate needs is common sense - they run 1 hour of a 2-hour show - that Michael Feldman quiz show - where the entire 1st hour is about getting people ON the show, and the 2nd hour is the show ITSELF... except, WHYY doesn't air it!! makes you wonder what they are thinking in the programming department.
1. I am Midwestern, though not necessarily folksy. And I'm Black, so none of the 'variety' shows seek me as an audience. ;) My beloved Wait Wait rarely has anyone Black on the panel (if they ever have).
2. Michael Feldman's show is one of the least funny things on NPR, IMO. Be glad you only get an hour of it. ;)
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Please listen, then vote and comment if you are willing, to my 2 minutes of funk (sans funk)
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I forgot earlier to mention another thing I believe public radio is sorely lacking -- voices from the west. No, I don't mean LA. Nope, not San Francisco, nor Seattle. I'm talking about the rural west. There's a lot going on here that isn't being covered by the national media. The off-the-wall weird stuff, yes that hits the national news. For instance, many know Idaho's Governor wants to kill the first wolf when they are delisted from the endangered species act. Who could overlook such a shockingly gory soundbite. But there are other stories happening in this region that are worth investigating.
I think some of the west's isolationist mentality is fueld by the fact that there aren't many rural western voices in the national media. It's easy to dislike an institution when you don't feel represented. True, there aren't that many rural western voices in comparison to urban dwellers. But what we lack in population, we make up for in land. And with this huge resource comes a lot of interesting stories: land-use debates, botched resource mitigation, environmental catastrophies, pristine wilderness, native people struggling for control of their resources and cultural recognition, descendants of pioneer homesteaders and religious isolationists clashing with new cultural diversity brought on by surging urban growth. It is certainly a frontier. With more and more people moving into these less populated states to buy into the high living standards and cheap housing markets, the region is at a turning point.
-elizabeth
In my submission application I talked about how Public Radio IS lacking true "Family Friendly" shows. Sure, kids can listen to "Car Talk" or "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me" or "This American Life" but are they getting anything from it?
The show that comes close to achieving this, in my opinion, is "Prairie Home Companion" but I'm sure a lot of that goes over kids heads. In my opinion, radio can use a return to entertaining family friendly programming. Stuff kids and parents can listen to and all enjoy together. Otherwise, how can we get upset that all they have to listen to on the radio is the pop product on Radio Disney?
Anyway, just my two cents.
My Submission - A Return To Radio Adventure!
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1151
Visit www.DoctorFloyd.com
I agree with topramen, NPR does need to capture a younger audience. I've been listening since I was a teenager, but I'm learning that's kind of rare. I also agree with Linda, there should be more storytelling. There's this American Life, which I love, and which does seem to have a younger audience, but I think there needs to be more programs that adopt that type of a format.
While I do find the call in talk-shows on NPR interesting and appreciate them being on-air, I think this format is kind of old-fashioned. I would rather be led on an adventure, you know, led to the story. I really like the storytelling that is location-based. I'm not as interested in someone when they come into a studio to talk about themselves; I think listening to them in their own element is much more interesting. It's showing, not telling. And, that's what I think a lot of young people appreciate. They don't want to be told who they should be interested in, they are still exploring the world and their own opinions about things. And yes, they really should know the peole in the news, but they are also trying to figure themselves out. Being exposed to a lot of different people and places, their stories and their environment, is really much more relevant to what younger people are interested in. They are still exploring their own identity and learning about other people like them can kind of help them figure it all out.
I would love to hear more shows that use this type of format that cover topics such as sustainable living, low-budget or alternative travel (Willing Workers on Organic Farms, Language Immersion Programs, Internships, Volunteering in Orphanages, etc.) upcoming artists, new media, DIY culture, cool careers in new fields, how to create healthy relationships, cool new websites and blogs, upcoming poets and writers, and other more lifestyle-based programming.
-elizabeth
I have to say, I disagree.
There are more and more 20-somethings getting involved in the industry, and listenership by younger people is definitely increasing.
Everytime you recognize some current indie rock song used in the breaks of ATC, or hear a story on vegans and dumpster diving - who do you think snuck that in?
And what about the rumblings of a more youth-oriented NPR news program?
Why hold a contest for a "new" voice?
I think it's pretty cool.
You're right, a change is coming, and it is exciting to see. Wouldn't mind if happened sooner rather than later, though.
-elizabeth
youth.
It really saddens me to see all these NPR affiliates on college campuses with maybe 200 students actually listening to the station.
NPR has targeted itself (unintentionally, or maybe intentionally) towards people 30+.
As a 20 year old, That bugs me.
This American Life is amazing, and if it were promoted in a way that would get Younger people listening, it would be a Big(ger) hit.
Terry Gross does a great job of bringing in the occasional Pop icon (Harry Shearer of the simpsons and le show, Sam Raimi of the Spiderman films, Chris Rock) but these shows are far and few between. So often do I tune in to an NPR station, hoping to hear a promo for a good "Fresh Air" and i hear a tease for people that nobody in my generation have heard of.
Thats okay, but when you go weeks without hearing a fresh air with anyone that would be interesting to anyone my age, it makes you tune out.
Lets face it. The NPR audience is getting older. The young people are not picking up the slack because NPR doesn't service us.
I'm not saying put Britney Spears (eww) on Fresh Air, I'm saying throw us a few bones!
NPR DOES however do a great job of reaching out to the younger people with "Wait Wait" but one show is not cutting it.
NPR's News programming completely ignores news items that are of interest to the younger people. We're not asking for Paris Hilton news, (although the arrest and subsequent begging for support is a GREAT item... we intelligent young people love seeing her squirm... i mean tell me thats not freaking hilarious!)
NPR has made strides, don't get me wrong, but they've fallen WAY short.
so if any npr producers are reading...
You have a point. But I think there is a big reason why that you might not have thought of...who is the demographic that contributes the most money to NPR and NPR stations? I know it's a Catch-22 situation, young people would contribute more if there was more programming for them, but because they don't contribute more there isn't programming for them, but I remember when I was in that 20's decade of my life and unfortunately I didn't have the income to support public radio that much. Actually, to be honest, I still don't in relation to my peers...but that's another story, he he he.
Anyway, a question I have for you is exactly what type of programming do you think younger people are looking for? Does NPR need to go the gross out route like Jackass or decadance route of most live action stuff on MTV? High concept/low brow stuff like some of the stuff on Adult Swim? Does gaming need to be covered more ala G4? I'm not sure what you think they need to do...I'm not sure either...but I do agree there is little to specifically interest 'young' people.
BTW You are gonna get flames regarding the fact that EVERYONE should be interested in news and other topics that seem stogy and old....but not from me...
I do have a few suggestions for your possible listening pleasure...Here and Now and Day to Day are daily news magazines that I find refreshing and broad in thier appeal. Day to Day is associated with Slate.com using their reviewers and such...I also think Studio 360 and On the Media are cutting edge and I think Studio 360 is especially edgy.
Your topic is great...let's keep the discussion going.
Speechguy
I can't believe I've entered! Please listen, vote and comment. Thanks.
Well, I see what you are saying in terms of having to appeal to the people who are donating the most money (older listeners).
But from a programming standpoint, you need to reach a balance. Here's the reason:
Right now, NPR's chief listening audience is 50+ year olds. We'll say, hypothetically, the 50-65 year old demographic. Great. Problem is that twenty years from now (and sorry if you are an older listener here...),that main demographic will be the 70 to 85 (AKA 'Probably Dead and Hence Not Donating' demographic).
So then where are the donations going to come from?
I think programmers should be loyal to their base audience (older folks), but you need to rope in some younger members of our generation to keep us (as a whole) listening when WE are finally the 50+ demo.
I think NPR could benefit from a handful of shows reaching out to younger adults.
I think the cable network VH1 was experiencing a similar problem in the 90's. They have done a great job with shows like "I Love the 80s", which appeal to BOTH the older generation, and the younger kids.
Suddenly, VH1 is no longer the place to just see Eric Clapton videos. Or other people only our parents could be capable of tolerating.
Cool discussion.
Hahahhaha wow. I mean, it's a good idea...but wow!
I believe they call that "planned giving".
Hahhahah
My local affiliate regularly (like they o.d.'d on prune juice) runs promos about putting them in your will.
It's probably good for business, but it's d*mn depressing!
*n*
"The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about" - Oscar Wilde
Maybe NPR needs to learn to take itself a little less seriously. Learn from the folks at Adult Swim, a fart joke or two won't kill ya! Hell even Shakespeare made fart jokes!
Bradley K
Does FH constitute laughing at a person, or laughing with a person. As you know I am opposed to the former and advocate only the later.
Steve
Ultimately the paradoxes of life make fools of us all. So if we would be wise we should study life's paradoxes and confront our abject foolishness head on.
"laughing at a person, or laughing with a person."
I have always been curious what that means exactly? It sounds awful safe and drab to me, but I could be wrong.
I don't know if I can think of a single comedian/entertain who only laughs "with people".
Hell, even Jon Stewart (hallowed be thy name) spends most of his show laughing at people, ie. Bush, Pelosi or Paris Hilton.
B W
I don't know if anyone remembers this, but Fresh Air played a song from some artist a couple years back during the whole tittygate scandal and actually censored the word "Sucks" by doing a reversal... so it said "ScUZ".
This is a HUGE example of NPR playing it way too safe, and therefore turning people off.
The Planned giving is a part of both NPR and all NPR affiliates "Strategic Plan" for funding, it shows they're targeting those people.
Look, if NPR stations had decent "gifts" (aka premiums) to give the younger people, they'd do awesome.
My community (non-npr) station gave away Warped Tour tickets as a thank you gift. Lines were jammed, and the whole stack was spoken for within 20 minutes.
anyway back to my topic.
NPR plays it way too safe. Why do we have a program dedicated to Piano Jazz, but not Indie music, Rock Music, or Hip Hop (even positive hip hop, michael franti, sage francis, etc).
Why? Because god forbid a closed minded 60 year old woman turns on the radio and hears a black person rhyming over a beat with BASS and scratching.
Face it, a large portion of the NPR audience hears a hip hop beat, or a loud guitar and they shut off the radio IMMEDIATLY.
A couple months ago (during a snowstorm) I substituted for the 4-7am DJ, At 6am (a prime listening hour) i played Warpigs by Black Sabbath. A CLASSIC rock-n-roll song with a great political message.
Seconds later, the phones lit up, people (even those who are middle aged) called up, ecstatic. They LOVED the high energy and LOUD music, they wanted something different.
Then i got 1 (just one) call from an old lady who b*tched me out and said... ok more like yelled "I hate Heavy metal. it's sh*t!" and hung up.
NPR is SO afraid of scaring people.
by that same token, very VERY Few teenagers, and college aged people would listen to "Piano Jazz" or something like that.
I'm not saying make NPR the next MTV- how about making it FRIENDLIER to the younger generation- more news items about colleges, college issues (funding, scholorships, etc) how about some good interviews with deathcab for cutie (death... oh no! i can't listen to that! it says death!), or Rage against the machine (oh my god! another scary, violent name!), or green day.
If Public (and community radio for that matter) don't start making an effort to get younger people listening, the NPR audience will (and is already starting to) die off.
Face it. NPR's audience is now mostly people in their 40s and older. Most of them are AARP eligible, and a Lot are already retired.
NPR has made an effort to reach out to 30 year olds in recent years, but has never quite gotten the 20 somethings.
I think i know why- 20 and 30 somethings are not going to listen to Beethoven's 1069th Symphony, let alone the 9th 10th and 11th movements of Tchaikovsky's whooziwhatsit.
The classical music programming drives people off. It's a sad thing to say, but it's gotta go.
Why do you think Heavy Metal/Death Metal stations don't exist? It's too small of a niche. Same with classical music. Not enough people listen to it for it to be worth the money it makes.
holy hell this post ended up being long. i'm going to bed. hehehe.
When I started my own non-member public radio station 11 years ago, my idea was to feature music from multiple genres along with talk programming, activist information, news and all kinds of stuff punctuated with bright, high-eneregy imaging (to shake off that "sleepy-sounding" complaint that seems to follow traditional public radio -- you know, that so-called NPR schvetty-balls sound). Now, Grateful Dread Radio is slowly getting closer to the way I had envisioned its sound and we're surviving (barely), but the listener comments are just terrific. They hear new stuff, old stuff, rock, roots reggae, jazz, conscious urban, indie, alternative, world, all kinds of sounds -- *and* Democracy Now and Free Speech Radio and Counterspin and other syndicated and original offerings (and my Internet station is the only public radio in the area that puts these programs and views on the "air." (And we give awesome premiums.) It can and does work (though not from a fiscal standpoint yet, though it WILL) -- and open-minded listeners do appreciate the diverse sounds and ideas and voices we broadcast every day.
At the same time, I can't say anything bad about piano jazz. Listen to it all the time, along with rootsy folk and classical on WYPR in Baltimore. And let's not forget -- funding is an issue and there is only so much available in terms of the human and material resources needed to re-shape the "public-radio sound." People are wary of straying from a familiar trail; it's risky. I suspect it's a risk worth taking, though.
Natalie Davis
http://gdreadradio.net
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1068
WBEZ stopped airing Piano Jazz and I really miss it. There are some world music shows on now but I also miss Afropop Worldwide, because it now airs very late at night.
Chicago is unique in that there are a lot of locally produced shows that are on the air. I grew up in St. Louis, where the NPR affiliates had more network programming. It's got its good and bad points. I was used to the network programming and I really miss it now. Many of the locally produced shows I don't care for, but that may be due to the fact that I'm a transplant. Maybe if I grew up with them, I'd be more excited about them now. I don't know...
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Please listen, then vote and comment if you are willing, to my 2 minutes of funk (sans funk)
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/805
I agree that storytelling is something that would really get me to tune in. I often listen to the streaming serial radio dramas on BBC7, and it's something I really really enjoy. If I could get that in my car instead of just at my computer (where I'm only rarely doing something that I can multitask with paying attention to radio) I would be thrilled.
... I actually submitted my entry based on a small change I'd like to see - a shift to some "younger" programming... Not "kiddie" shows, but definitely show(s) that reflect & hold the interest of multiple generations.
One of the reasons I pitched my idea is that as much as I love NPR, I dont hear a whole lot that talks bout pop culture or that would bring younger and wider audiences in. I think you can do shows on that topic, and still stay in the range of intellectual.....I lecture on anime and talk about the mythological and cultural storytelling aspects.
I'm not suggesting NPR start reality radio or anything, but there needs to be a wider range of interest on the radio I think.
"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
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