New Programming Coming to WFDD

WFDD is excited to announce new programming coming to the weekend schedule. Starting on Saturday, August 22nd, listeners can expect some new additions to the line up.

The change in programming was prompted in large part by two weekend shows that ended production and distribution: Live From Here and Only A Game. Both programs were casualties of the challenging financial situation created by the coronavirus pandemic. The station is also discontinuing carriage of Bullseye with Jesse Thorn due to sustained low listenership. With hours in the weekend schedule to fill, WFDD researched and vetted several shows, and sought guidance and recommendations from the WFDD Community Advisory Board (CAB). The CAB listened to sample episodes and provided detailed feedback, guiding WFDD in the final program selections.

New programs coming to WFDD are Innovation Hub, The Moth Radio Hour, Latino USA, and The Martha Bassett Show, produced in partnership with Martha Bassett. The addition of new shows has also resulted in the change of broadcast times for some programs: Freakonomics Radio, Mountain Stage, American Routes, and classical music on weekend evenings.

On the discontinuation of Live From Here, the production team shared this on Facebook on June 16th, when the discontinuation was announced:

"Live from Here has always been about bringing people together. It has been a joy to connect with you in person, on the radio, and online. However, as gatherings have become increasingly complicated, we are sad to announce that we will no longer be producing Live from Here. This past week’s broadcast was our final new show. COVID-19 has deeply impacted live events, from Broadway to concerts. With that uncertainty, we simply cannot continue to make the show we want to make and host Live From Here the way it was intended."

Only A Game was produced by NPR member station WBUR. In an email to stations, the ceasing of production was explained thusly:

"We have decided to end production of [Only A Game] for several reasons. Most significantly, a station-wide reorganization coupled with today’s distinct economic reality prompted us to take a clear-eyed look at everything we’re doing. As difficult as these choices are, we believe WBUR and all of public radio must continue evolving to connect with audiences in new and different ways."

While we at WFDD are saddened by the loss of these much-loved programs, we are excited about the new additions to the schedule, some of which have been oft-requested by listeners.

Read on for additional information about each new show.

The Martha Bassett Show is produced in partnership with Martha Bassett and is recorded live at the historic Reeves Theater in Elkin, NC. This weekly one-hour music program blends the fabric of the national roots and Americana scene with the rich artistry, history, and flair of North Carolina’s Piedmont region. Helmed by one of the state’s most distinguished musicians, the live show is in its 3rd season and features national artists, fresh local faces, and the music of Martha Bassett. Each show is a collaboration in song and conversation between Martha, her band, and the guests. Past artists have included Mollie O’Brien, Presley Barker, Ben Sollee, Jonathan Byrd, Amythyst Kiah, Jim White, Elizabeth Cook, Rex McGee, Sam Baker, and Gaelynn Lea. The initial WFDD offerings will draw from the show’s 2018 season. The first 4 broadcasts will feature Jonathan Byrd, The Dan River Girls, Mollie O’Brien, Rex McGee, Jim White, Presley Barker, Sam Reider & the Human Hands, and Bruce Piephoff. It will air Saturdays at 7pm.

Innovation Hub features today's most creative thinkers - from authors to researchers to business leaders. It explores new avenues in education, science, medicine, transportation, and more. Recently the show has been exploring the coronavirus pandemic from scientific, economic, and political perspectives – asking the question everyone has right now: what does our future look like? It will air Sundays at 12pm.

The Moth Radio Hour is a Peabody Award-winning weekly series featuring true stories told live on stage without scripts, notes, props, or accompaniment. It airs on over 460 public radio stations. Each Moth Radio Hour mixes humorous, heartbreaking, and poignant tales that captivate, surprise, and delight audiences with their honesty, bravery, and humor. You'll hear it Sundays at 1pm.

Latino USA is produced by the Futuro Media Group, an independent nonprofit organization producing multimedia journalism that explores and gives a critical voice to the diversity of the American experience. Based in Harlem and founded in 2010 by award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, Futuro Media is committed to telling stories often overlooked by mainstream media. Latino USA will air Sundays at 4pm.