NPR’s ‘Talk Of The Nation’ Going Off The Air

After 21 years, NPR’s Talk Of The Nation is going off the air.

According to the NY Times, the station will replace Talk Of The Nation with a show produced by Boston University’s WBUR. On July 1, Here And Now will replace the long running NPR show.

Charlie Kravetz, General Manager at WBUR, said: “WBUR is pleased to forge this unique relationship with NPR, redefining how the network and a public radio station can work together to better serve listeners.”

Neal Conan, the host of Talk of the Nation, will be retiring from the “rigors of daily journalism” when his show goes off the air. Conan has been at NPR for 35 years and hosted Talk Of The Nation for 11.

Margaret Low Smith, the Senior Vice President of News at NPR, said in a press release: “Neal brings extraordinary depth and insight to every story he touches. He connects deeply with the audience and will leave a legacy of excellence, having skillfully carried NPR, our Member Stations and the nation through some of the most important news of the last decade, setting the standard for high quality call-in talk programming.”

Here And Now is currently hosted by Robin Young. When the show expands to the NPR platform she will get a co-host in Jeremy Hobson.

Kinsey Wilson, Chief Content Officer at NPR, said: “Here Now is a smart, well-produced news program … This collaboration allows us to deliver compelling news and cultural coverage throughout the day and keep listeners tuned to public radio. In WBUR we have a strong editorial partner.”