Journalist John Hockenberry is the host for the new morning show from Public Radio International and WNYC(AM/FM) in New York that’s set to launch in early 2008.
A second host will be announced later.
Participants said the show will not use public radio’s traditional format of packaged interviews and long features, instead favoring an entirely live presentation.
The show marks Hockenberry’s return to public radio after 15 years in network and cable television. He earned several Emmys and Peabodys for his work at ABC and NBC, in addition to an Edward R. Murrow Award. Hockenberry sits as a distinguished fellow at the MIT Media Lab.
“With the abdication of serious news coverage by network and cable television,” said Hockenberry, “the in-depth journalism and context that public radio provides is needed more than ever. But public radio needs to meet the demands of current news consumers. There’s no replacement for the live and in-real-time delivery of news and analysis, and morning drive is the place to do it.”
The show will be co-produced by WNYC Radio and PRI, in collaboration with BBC World Service, New York Times Radio and WGBH Radio Boston.
Though the official program launch is set for early 2008, it will debut with a series of Election 2008 specials, kicking off on Nov. 6 from New York and airing throughout the winter from other cities. Broadcast and streaming details will be announced in October.
PRI and WNYC also announced Jonathan Dyer as managing editor. For nine years, Dyer has served as managing editor of PRI’s “The World,” a co-production between PRI, the BBC, and WGBH Radio. Prior, he was a producer for the BBC.