Programming Changes
Why Car Talk is Leaving KCLU, What's Replacing It, and Other Program Notes
After 23 years on KCLU, Car Talk concludes its run on Saturday, June 24th. Recently, the show’s producer decided to end production of the program’s “Best of …” series which started to air in November 2014 after co-host Tom Magliozzi passed away.
Rather than continue with repeat shows – which will remain available for streaming and podcast at CarTalk.com – KCLU has opted to present a new series from NPR. Effective Saturday July 1st, we invite you to listen to Planet Money and How I Built This, a combo program based on the eponymous NPR podcasts. We’ve heard pilot programs of Planet Money / How I Built This and we are confident that listeners will find this new offering to be a perfect follow-on to Weekend Edition Saturday -- and a worthy successor to Car Talk.
The next, most significant daily change occurs starting Monday, 6/26 when Morning Edition’s arts and culture segment will air exactly one hour earlier at 7:51. Aside from the ‘top story’ near the start of the hour, the arts and culture segment is a popular mainstay. This shift will make it available to more listeners during peak commute time.
At 8:51, we will offer a late, updated edition of The California Report. Host John Sepulvado and the show’s editorial team have brought a new vibrancy to California’s only statewide weekday morning news program. We believe it will add a new dimension of service to Morning Edition.
We’re also making a slight change on Sunday morning. A Prairie Home Companion will begin an hour later at noon. And the re-broadcast of Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me will move to 11 am. Other NPR member stations have found that listeners have welcomed the pairing of Ask Me Another (which KCLU airs at 10 a.m. Sunday) with Wait Wait. We believe that over time this approach will be well-received here too, especially as Ask Me Another continues to hone a sharper comedic voice.
Given the multitude of online and broadcast choices, KCLU is constantly mindful of listener feedback. These lineup adjustments are a response to that feedback that are designed to ensure that KCLU continues to offer a relevant and distinctive service that is worthy of the listener financial support that keeps us on the air.
Comments? Concerns? Let us know here, or leave a voice mail at 805-493-3900.
Thanks for listening!
Duncan Lively
Program Director