NYPR Station-to-Station Programming Project
An Urgent Need to Save Public Radio
Public media’s mission—to inform, inspire, and connect communities—is vital to American democracy. That mission now faces an existential threat. The loss of federal funding and growing political hostility put the entire system at risk.
New York Public Radio, the largest station group, has the ability to endure. But across the country, especially in rural and underserved communities, stations are in peril. Analyses predict that over a third of public radio stations could go silent without urgent intervention.
What’s at Stake
- Local journalism disappears—coverage of school boards, city councils, and elections vanishes.
- Communities lose access to trusted emergency alerts and life-saving information.
- Stations serving Native, Black, Latino, immigrant, and Appalachian audiences lose the ability to tell their own stories.
- The fabric of American culture, connection, and democracy frays.
Our Response
NYPR is stepping forward with the Station-to-Station Programming Project: a bold, $10M initiative to keep public radio alive nationwide by providing NYPR’s award-winning programs free of charge to stations in need. At launch, the bundle will include:
- Radiolab
- On the Media
- The New Yorker Radio Hour
- Science Friday
- Today, Explained
- Freakonomics Radio
Expansion plans include: new programs from Brian Lehrer, Alison Stewart, music programs from John Schaefer’s New Sounds, and classical programs from WQXR.
By eliminating carriage fees, this project gives struggling stations the breathing room to invest their limited resources in what matters most: local reporting, community engagement, and sustainability.
Why New York Public Radio?
- Trusted leadership – Producer of some of the most acclaimed and beloved shows in public radio.
- Scale and reach – Programs already air on more than 700 stations nationwide.
- System impact – Supporting NYPR means sustaining the entire public media network.
The Opportunity
The Station-to-Station Programming Project will cost $10 million over three years, covering:
- Lost carriage revenue
- Partner program payments, keeping the creators of programming whole
- Expansion of programming bundle
- Support for a larger base of stations
We are seeking visionary donors who understand the urgency of this moment for American democracy and public culture.
Leadership Gifts ($25,000+)
- $1 million+ donors will anchor the project, ensuring programming can be provided free to stations starting this fall.
- Leadership donors will be recognized as champions of public media’s survival—safeguarding trusted journalism, cultural programming, and community voices for millions of listeners nationwide.
- Click here to learn more about leadership giving in support of this initiative.
- Every gift matters. If you can't make a leadership gift but want to help advance the Station-to-Station programming Project, you may donate here.
Why Now?
This is not just an investment in New York Public Radio. It is an investment in a national system that is independent, interconnected, and indispensable.
With your support, we can keep stations on the air, preserve local journalism, and ensure that all communities continue to have access to trustworthy information and vibrant culture.
To learn more or to discuss partnering in this important initiative, please contact:
Contact Jill Clark, VP of Philanthropy at giving@nypublicradio.org / 917.509.8444 or Dave Ramirez, Senior Major Gifts Officer at giving@nypublicradio.org / 646.829.4591
