Radio Gaga: The Takeaway cohosts Adaora Udoji and John Hockenberry in their New York studio. | Photograph by Ofer Wolberger
The Takeaway is still a long way from success, but as Cappello says, "We've got to trust the process." Even before launch, the producers used design thinking to help promote the show. In advance of the annual PRI program-directors' conference in September 2007, where new shows are unveiled, the Takeaway team had PRI call program directors and ask a battery of questions: What are you afraid of? What do you hope for? Their answers were compelling. "Program directors are people who think of themselves as visionaries and like to be ahead of the curve," Cappello says, "but they're actually extraordinarily risk averse."
So the producers created a mock political-campaign video with program directors talking about what they wanted in a "candidate." The video rocked the conference, helping The Takeaway pick up eight markets for its debut (including WNYC and editorial partner WGBH-Boston). By the time you read this, The Takeaway should air on 15 stations. "They need Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Chapel Hill," says Ken Mills, a public-radio consultant. But hey, that's the key to innovation: Repeat as necessary
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Recent Comments | 12 Total
July 10, 2008 at 1:27pm by down town
Quote: The program's central idea is a daily question that audiences are asked to riff upon, either by calling in or by emailing. Their responses are then woven into the rest of the show's programming. Notes executive producer Graham Griffith: "Our hope is that pretty soon The Takeaway will be not just a radio program but an active environment." End Quote
There is an active environment, just read the comments here:
http://www.thetakeaway.org/archives/stories/97647/themix/48
You will note that most listeners want WNYC to take away "the Takeaway,"
We do not need to listen to a radio program that is geared towards a "morning zoo" "Howard Stern" format.
Bring back the news without the snarky comments without the inane blips and beeps without the bike horn without the audio of John Hockenberry's children (instead of the guest, who was perplexed since she was just asked a question and was then promptly interrupted so John could share his family audio tape...)Take away "The Takeaway."
July 10, 2008 at 4:14pm by ben cherner
the take away is even worse than the satellite sisters.
July 10, 2008 at 4:23pm by Tony Soll
Greetings: I am the listener quoted above. Thanks. I am a teacher and musician who is I hope, accepting of innovation and creativity and eclectic in tastes. However, this program has to be heard to be believed. It is awful!!!. The hosts and production are downright amateurish. There is little information and a profound lack of professionalism and skill in the execution of its often very trivial features, especially when compared with the usual offerings of NPR and PRI. Please read the listener comments mentioned above. People are being driven away from the host stations and stopping their contributions (which I don't recommend, but understand).
This site, on the other hand, provides some food for thought and I will be visiting frequently.
August 11, 2008 at 2:58pm by Sheryl Ramer
I haven't listened to Takeaway, so I can't really comment on the quality. However, why not give people who already host successful podcasts on a shoe-string budget a chance on the radio? Why hire people who are "award-winning TV correspondents" as hosts to make a show that "feels a little more on the fly--open and conversational" when there are already people who host their own popular shows itching for a chance to be heard on a wider scale?
August 11, 2008 at 2:58pm by Sheryl Ramer
I haven't listened to Takeaway, so I can't really comment on the quality. However, why not give people who already host successful podcasts on a shoe-string budget a chance on the radio? Why hire people who are "award-winning TV correspondents" as hosts to make a show that "feels a little more on the fly--open and conversational" when there are already people who host their own popular shows itching for a chance to be heard on a wider scale?
September 15, 2008 at 9:17pm by V W
The Takeaway is impossible to listen to. I miss Morning Edition. I miss BBC. I want news, not banter in the morning. I am open to any number of NPR innovations, and find myself drawn into show after show. This one has me running in the morning -- to turn off the radio.