WNYC® Radio® Launches Second Podcast

Following the Success of its National Show NPR's On the Media®

Popular Local Program The Leonard Lopate Show

To be Made Available to a National Audience Via Podcasting

On Eve of its 20th Anniversary on the Air On the Media Sees Double-Digit Growth of Online Listeners Since Podcast Launch in January

(February 9, 2005, New York, NY) - Following its successful podcast launch of NPR's On the Media, WNYC, New York Public Radio has announced that it will begin podcasting its first local program as well.

Beginning Monday, March 7, select interviews from The Leonard Lopate Show will be made available as podcasts. The launch is timed to coincide with a special week-long celebration of the program's 20th anniversary.

The Leonard Lopate Show is WNYC's acclaimed weekday interview program. Host Leonard Lopate has interviewed some of the most intriguing minds from an astonishing range of disciplines. Henry Kissinger, Meryl Streep, Jimmy Carter, John Irving, Dan Ackroyd, Gene Hackman, Madeline Albright, Dave Barry, Branford Marsalis, LL Cool J and Jane Goodall are just a few of the personalities who have passed through his studio.

"We are excited to celebrate Leonard Lopate's 20 years on WNYC by taking his show into the very new, forward-looking world of podcasting," said WNYC President Laura Walker. "Leonard has been New York City's own secret treasure for two decades -- now we have a chance to share him far and wide."

"Podcasting is a remarkable boon for local radio broadcasts," added Phil Redo, VP of Station Operations and Strategy. "This easy-to-access, easy-to-use technology allows local programming to transcend the limitations of both traditional radio and online streaming, by allowing users to plug into great programming from far-flung places, anytime, anywhere."

WNYC launched the first podcast of an NPR program in January 2005 to great success. NPR's On the Media, the station's nationally-broadcast media analysis show, has doubled the amount of listeners it reaches online in just four weeks. OTM's podcast audience now rivals the number of individuals that would enjoy the program in a mid-sized media market like St. Louis or Kansas City.

In 2005, WNYC will launch additional podcasts including daily segments from The Brian Lehrer Show.

WNYC, New York Public Radio, is New York's premier public radio station, comprising WNYC 93.9 FM and WNYC AM 820. As America's most listened-to public radio stations, reaching over one million listeners each week, WNYC FM and AM extend New York City's cultural riches to the whole country and air the best national offerings from affiliate networks National Public Radio and Public Radio International. WNYC 93.9 FM broadcasts a broad range of daily news, talk, cultural and classical music programming, while WNYC AM 820 maintains a stronger focus on breaking news and international news reporting. For more information, visit www.wnyc.org.