13 chapters across the catalog
NPR Business Model and Podcast Transcription Rules
The business model of NPR is examined, with former CEO Vivian Schiller admitting that "underwriting" is just another word for advertising. Current CEO Jarl Mohn (formerly Lee Masters) is discussed regarding NPR's move into podcasting. A new rule requiring all NPR podcasts to be transcribed is cited as a reason for delays in publishing content.
NPR CEO Jarl Mohn discusses the potential for "sponsored content" or native advertising on public radio. While he expresses concern that it might "blur the lines" and damage NPR's credibility with its "unique brand of listener," he admits the network may eventually have to adopt the practice to survive.
Adam Curry recounts his participation in a summit at Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications. He mentions meeting industry figures like Steve Leeds and NPR CEO Jarl Mohn. He criticizes the school for delaying the release of the panel's podcast until November, arguing that such a delay is counterintuitive in the digital age.
NPR CEO Jarl Mohn (Lee Masters) shared an anecdote about the extreme bureaucracy within his organization. It took over three weeks of internal debate just to add the word "live" to the top-of-the-hour news introduction. The story is used as a prime example of the cultural stagnation and inefficiency within mainstream media companies.
NPR CEO Jarl Mohn is reportedly working to raise a $1 billion endowment to secure the organization's future for the next 30 years. Half of the funds would go to NPR Central and the other half to local stations. The hosts characterize NPR as a "government job" environment that resists commercialization and relies on large grants to survive.
Adam Curry announces his participation in the New York Audio Summit, where he will represent podcasters on a panel with the CEO of NPR. The discussion shifts to NPR's decision to shut down the comment sections on its websites. The hosts argue this is a mistake, as comment sections often provide valuable expert observations and entertainment that drive site traffic.
The success of the "Serial" podcast is analyzed in the context of NPR's broader media strategy. While the show is highly produced and scripted, the hosts argue its popularity stems from a public desire for "calm" long-form content, though they dispute whether it fits the traditional definition of a podcast.
Jarl Mohn, the CEO of NPR, discussed using podcasting to reach millennial audiences during a media appearance. Critics argue that the traditional NPR business model involving local stations is incompatible with the decentralized nature of podcasting.
One of the hosts has been invited to represent podcasting on a media panel at Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communication. The panel includes NPR CEO Jarl Mohn (formerly Lee Masters), and the discussion is expected to focus on the future of broadcast versus digital media.
NPR CEO Jarl Mohn described broadcast radio as the "cockroach of media," arguing that it is resilient and impossible to kill despite the rise of digital platforms. The upcoming Syracuse panel will feature representatives from Spotify, SiriusXM, and public radio to debate the survival of traditional antennae-based broadcasting.
NPR Financial Deficit, Jarl Mohn's Advertising Strategy
Jarl Mohn (formerly Lee Masters of MTV) has taken over NPR and is tasked with addressing a significant financial deficit. Mohn plans to increase revenue by "optimizing" the price of corporate underwriting units, which the hosts argue is indistinguishable from traditional advertising. Mohn's refusal to address potential conflicts of interest with underwriters like Monsanto or pharmaceutical companies is highlighted as a threat to objective reporting.
NPR appointed Jarl Mohn, formerly known in the 1980s as Los Angeles DJ Lee Masters, as its new President and CEO. Mohn's background includes executive roles at MTV and VH1, as well as founding E! Entertainment Television. The transition is expected to bring a more commercial sensibility to the public radio network, given Mohn's history as a "media innovator" and former top 40 disc jockey.
Commercialization of NPR and the "No Rant, No Slant" Slogan
The future of NPR under Jarl Mohn is predicted to mirror the "listicle" style of digital outlets like BuzzFeed and Vice Media. Mohn's previous work at KPCC in Southern California included the marketing slogan "No Rant, No Slant," which is criticized as being arrogant. The network's financial struggles, including a significant budget hole and the loss of endowments, are cited as the primary drivers for hiring a commercially-minded executive.
