WAER-FM to expand daily news and information programming

SYRACUSE — WAER FM 88.3 announced it will change its daily programming schedule on June 30, in response to research that “shows an increased demand for news and information.”

The radio station — which Syracuse University licenses, owns, and operates — said in a news release that it is changing its format to “News All Day, Jazz All Night.”

WAER will expand its daytime news and information programming to include coverage of local, national, and international issues through 8 p.m. Then, Eric Cohen, the station’s music director, plays jazz music through 11 p.m., the station said.

Joe Lee, WAER director and general manager, expressed his reasoning for the schedule changes in a letter to WAER members, the station said.

The station conducted research on the “listening needs and preferences” of its audience over the past year, according to the letter.

The results indicated that listeners sought more news and information programming on WAER.

“I am committed to expanding our news coverage while also maintaining our dedication to preserving jazz as an American art form,” Lee wrote.

Schedule
The radio station’s news release also outlined the programming schedule that will follow National Public Radio’s (NPR) “Morning Edition,” which ends at 9 a.m.

From there, WAER will air “BBC Newshour,” an hour-long broadcast featuring interviews, news, and analysis of the day’s global news events. 

The morning continues with “On Point” with host Tom Ashbrook, which covers a variety of topics, including breaking news.

The broadcast also features writers, politicians, journalists, artists, scientists and ordinary citizens from around the world, according to the WAER news release.

The program “Here & Now” airs between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. with Robin Young and Jeremy Hobson providing midday news coverage with reports, interviews and conversation.

“The Takeaway” follows between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. with John Hockenberry offering an “alternative” in news featuring “critical” conversations, field reports, and listener participation, the news release stipulated.

The afternoon programming continues with “The World” between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. with host Marco Werman presenting “the world’s most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is,” the station contends.

“The World” leads into NPR’s “All Things Considered,” its afternoon news and information magazine. “Marketplace,” a roundup of the day’s business news, airs at 6:30 p.m. “Fresh Air” with host Terry Gross, an hour-long magazine program focusing on contemporary arts and issues, airs between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., according to the WAER website.

Besides its news and information and jazz programming, WAER is also known for its coverage of Syracuse University basketball, football, and lacrosse games. Those broadcasts will continue “uninterrupted,” WAER noted.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com