Reactions are mixed now that NPR has changed its programming clock for its premier newsmagazines, “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”
In the long build-up to the change, which occurred Monday, we reported NPR wanted to build more flexibility into the clock to provide affiliates more opportunities to insert local programming.
However, Jim Romenesko blogs that one producer argues the changes are having the opposite effect.
Another impetus for the changes is adapting to how the current audience consumes audio. NPR has said the former clocks were put into service before smartphones, podcasts, satellite radio and connected cars existed and the changes are meant, in part, to accommodate the devices people are using to listen now.
WBUR tells listeners the “Morning Edition” changes are the most noticeable, generally accommodating the listener’s need to tune in and out of the show more: “The new NPR clock tries to accommodate that pattern while still providing the deep long-form stories, conversations and features NPR and ’BUR are known for — the great narrative stories that can keep us in our cars even after we’ve arrived at work.”
