WBUR Answers Your Burning Questions

So, big news out of Boston today. Nope, not about Mayor Menino! It’s the news that NPR & WBUR have joined forces to expand Here & Now from one hour (12 – 1 p.m.) to two hours (12 – 2 p.m.) and add more newsmagazine programming to the middle of the day. Our own superstar host, Robin Young, will be joined by a new co-host Jeremy Hobston.

Below, a few answers to questions we’re getting from our most ardent and curious listeners:

What does this mean for the status of Fresh Air?

Rest assured, Terry Gross fans! Fresh Air will remain on WBUR’s airwaves. This summer (beginning in early July), we’ll start airing Here & Now from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., followed by Fresh Air from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. This is just a slight adjustment to our programming schedule, as Fresh Air currently airs at 1 p.m. For years, listeners have told us how much they like hearing Fresh Air adjacent to Here & Now, so we’re pleased to be able to keep these two programs together in the middle of the day.

So, Meghna Chakrabarti will be Here & Now‘s permanent “fill-in host.” Will she leave Radio Boston?

Nope, Meghna will continue to co-host Radio Boston with Anthony Brooks, weekdays at 3 p.m.  You’ll hear her on Here & Now when a host is needed to fill in for either Robin Young or Jeremy Hobson, for example when they are on assignment or lucky enough to take a vacation day. This role is similar to what NPR Host David Greene does for Morning Edition. Overall, there will be very little change to Radio Boston the majority of the time.

Phasing out production of NPR’s Talk of the Nation is a big loss. Why do it?

For many of us at WBUR, today is one of those days with dual feelings – elation and pride mixed with a tinge of regret.  As fans of Talk of the Nation and Neal Conan ourselves, we feel a bit mournful with the news that after 21 years of continued service, the show will end on June 27. It has had a long and hugely successful run on WBUR.  As hosted by veteran NPR journalist Neal Conan, it’s been a staple for ‘BUR for so many years as the first call-in program of its kind on public radio, ushering in lots of other call-in talk shows!  And of course, ‘BUR listeners have the benefit of four fantastic hours of On Point each weekday with Tom Ashbrook, a program we feel is the very best call-in program in the nation.