NPR Launches ''Up First'' Morning Podcast

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, April 3, 2017

NPR has announced the launch of Up First, a 10-minute morning news podcast. Starting Wednesday, April 5th, Up First will publish every weekday by 6 am ET and feature lively conversation about the day's top news stories produced with the same journalistic DNA of Morning Edition. Hosts David Greene, Rachel Martin and Steve Inskeep will talk with NPR journalists and correspondents to preview the news that will drive the day.

The podcast will be available in all the places that NPR podcasts are distributed, including the NPR One audio app that connects listeners to a curated stream of public radio news, stories, and podcasts. Up First is designed with digital listeners in mind but will also serve as a preview of the news stories that will be treated in depth on public radio stations across the country throughout the day.

"Public radio audiences have been growing across all demographics-reaching an all-time high this year -- and we want to keep expanding that audience" said Chris Turpin, NPR's Vice President of News Programming and Operations. "That means making NPR and Member station news coverage available in new places and new forms. If you like news and you like podcasts, Up First is for you."

"The sound of the public radio network is evolving and you will hear the immense dedication, warmth and energy of the Morning Edition team, who came up with this concept to help people start their day with a first take on the news," says Anya Grundmann, NPR's VP for Programming.