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After Canceling New Sounds, WNYC Leaves The Door Open For A Reversal
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 18, 2019
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Daniel Efram
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 18, 2019
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Following a highly criticized decision to end its signature music show, the president and CEO of New York Public Radio on Friday told internal staff that she would consider the feedback she has received and take the weekend to think about the fate of New Sounds.
Goli Sheikholeslami, who started her job at NYPR (which owns WNYC and Gothamist) last Wednesday, made the comments amid a packed crowd who showed up at an informal meeting that was originally intended for her to get to know employees and learn more about the company's operations.
Instead, WNYC staffers spent the entire one-hour meeting protesting the station's decision last week to cancel New Sounds after 37 years on the air, according to several sources who were there. Since its inception, the eclectic music program has been hosted by John Schaefer, a widely respected music journalist who has been credited with helping the careers of scores of musicians.
In the wake of the announcement of the show's cancellation last Thursday in an internal staff email, there has been an outpouring of sadness and frustration by musicians and other fans of the show. On Friday, the New York Times Opinion page published an essay from musician and writer Dan Kaufman, who bemoaned the loss of Schaefer in the era of algorithmic-run streaming services like Spotify. An online petition was started three days ago. It has since garnered nearly 1,000 signatures.
One WNYC employee who attended Friday's meeting, which was not prefaced as being off the record, said staff members openly voiced their displeasure with the decision. Many noted that Schaefer's contributions extended beyond his music shows, which include the podcast Soundcheck, which mixes interviews with live performances, and Gig Alerts, his daily concert previews for Morning Edition. In 2008, Schaefer was invited by the New York Philharmonic to join the orchestra during its historic performance in North Korea. He reported on the tour for WNYC. It was also noted at the meeting that he has covered topics as varied as soccer and horse racing for the station.
A spokesperson for WNYC declined to comment.
The source said that concerns were also raised that the loss of Schaefer would impact the station's fall fundraising drive, which is set to start on Tuesday. Since the news, listeners have contacted the station to complain. A member of a Facebook group Save New Sounds published the response he received from the station.
"We strive to best meet the needs of our audience now and in the years to come," the letter read. "Unfortunately, at times that means making the difficult decision to end production of a program."
In addition to Schaefer, the show's producer, Caryn Havlik, would also lose her job at the end of the year.
At a public meeting by WNYC's community advisory board on Wednesday, one woman who identified herself as a longtime member said she would cancel her membership if the station did not reconsider the decision. As added emphasis, she ripped up what she said was her renewal check in front of station executives.
The decision to drop New Sounds predates Sheikholeslami, who had previously been the CEO of Chicago Public Media. Her predecessor, Laura Walker, had led WNYC for 24 years. With a budget of $97 million, the station has over the years expanded its profile and reach with nationally syndicated radio programs and a slate of popular podcasts. At the same time, the station has been forced to reckon with accusations of sexual harassment, which led to the departure of some notable male hosts.
The cancellation of New Sounds was described by management as part of its continuing shift toward news and talk and away from "playlist music."
Sheikholeslami did not specify a timeline in which she would announce a decision.
But one WNYC staff member, referring to the station's fundraising schedule, asked, "How could she let us go into this fund-drive with an open wound?"
UPDATE: A prior version of this story incorrectly described Gig Alerts as weekly. It is a daily feature.
Tagged
wnyc
new sounds
John Schaefer
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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