Bring The Sound of Young America to WAMU

I'll preface this by saying Weekend Edition Saturday is my favorite of the Editions, but this interview has driven me to start this conversation (seriously, they were about 20 seconds from making a "..and what's the deal with airplane food!?" comment). WAMU could go for some programing of the sort like PRI's Sound of Young America. While I enjoy public radio for its diversity of programing, I think this programing could better suit everyone in the listening community. Instead of playing Prairie Home Companion twice during the weekend, how about more younger programming? Something like the Sound of Young America that appeals to (but not only for) the large group of those listeners like me that are under 30 and love public radio. I think the Sound of Young America is the kind of show that is interesting and represents why so many young people like public media. Forgive this rant as my first ever post at The Conversation, but this frustration has been building since that interview last Saturday morning...

Tags: america, feather, lorraine, of, sound, young

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark on May 21, 2008 at 5:08pm: I can't agree more with Rob's sentiments. The Sound of Young America is a fantastic program that I listen to via podcast because it is not broadcast on any nearby terrestrial stations. Jesse Thorn's interview style and wide selection of guests certainly appear to my demographic, but I feel the WAMU listening audience would also take very kindly to the show.

PRI provides many great alternative programming options, but this is one opportunity to attract younger listeners that is not to miss. An example of the widespread attraction and popularity of this program: several Sound of Young America listeners in the DC area are currently planning a meet-up in the month of June to expand the podcast and online forum experience to some face-to-face social activity. Meet-ups like these have occurred in Seattle, San Fransisco, and other major metropolitan areas with other fans of the show.

Permalink Reply by csdiego on May 22, 2008 at 10:08am: Hey, I've got a new podcast to listen to! Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Mark McDonald WAMU 88.5 on May 27, 2008 at 11:53am: Some of the challenges facing public radio in winning over younger listeners are well described in this article:

http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2007/03/19/public_radio_seeks_...

Interestingly, the appetite among our current listeners for the REPEAT of Prairie is still massive in comparison to the many alternatives we could schedule there. I'm listening to The Sound of Young America and I have asked a bunch of (younger !) folks at WAMU to listen to it as well.

Mark
Program Director

Permalink Reply by csdiego on May 28, 2008 at 10:48am: FWIW, I'm afraid I never listen to Prairie. In fact, I'm sorry to say this because I love Garrison Keillor's other work, but I lunge for the radio button the second I hear it come on.

I'm beginning to get the feeling I don't fit in very well as a WAMU listener.

Permalink Reply by Mark on May 31, 2008 at 8:38am: I assume the phrase "well described" is tongue-in-cheek. That article shows exactly why NPR is behind the curve with gaining younger listeners. It is an example of people sitting around a table and saying, "You know what I think kids these days like?" rather than asking "kids these days." This is where you end up with college recruiters saying, "Maybe we should set up one of those MySpaces. Kids like those a whole lot!"

NY Magazine has a great follow up to that article that totally gets it right.

I have been part of the NPR Listens project for a few months and I hope that system is used appropriately to find out from the source of the target audience what types of programming and publicity are going to yield the highest return.

Glad to hear you and your staff are listening to TSOYA. Any favorite interviews so far?

Permalink Reply by Mark McDonald WAMU 88.5 on May 31, 2008 at 9:29am: It would be great to hear how the NPR Listens project is going from your perspective.

Mark McD

Permalink Reply by Mark on June 9, 2008 at 12:39pm: It has been mostly survey participation so far. I know it is their intention to be as unobtrusive as possible, but I would be willing to be more active, especially if there was more in the area of moderated discussions.

One discussion that would be particularly interesting is exactly what we are talking about here: how to attract a younger listening and contributing audience.

I took part in some of the research for the "Get My Vote" site. That seemed to go well. I hope that site picks up as the general election gets going.