Station Committed To Providing Detroit Area A Premier Public Radio Service

DETROIT – December 12, 2005 – WDET – Detroit Public Radio unveils a new program schedule that begins tomorrow, Tuesday, December 13. The new offerings include the return of many steadfast public radio programs such as Car Talk, Fresh Air, This American Life, Afropop Worldwide and The Tavis Smiley Show. WDET is also bringing some new programs to Detroit listeners such as News & Notes with Ed Gordon, Democracy Now!, Day To Day, BBC’s World Have Your Say, Here & Now, Studio 360 and On The Media. WDET also welcomes back three of its heritage music programs with Folks Like Us with Matt Watroba, Arkansas Traveler with Larry McDaniel and Deep River with Robert Jones. Longtime music host Chuck Horn returns to host an electronic-based music program called Seventh Journey.

“I believe these program additions will help give Detroit the kind of premier public radio service it deserves,” said Michael Coleman, WDET General Manager. “Our entire community needs access to intelligent, thoughtful and diverse voices about the issues and challenges facing all of us. I’m also delighted to welcome back Matt Watroba, Larry McDaniel and Robert Jones who hosted enormously popular programs on WDET for many years.”

Many NPR and specialty music programs were discontinued at WDET in September 2004. Those changes did not meet listener’s expectations and posed challenges for station fundraising and audience growth. The new schedule reinstates many of the programs previously discontinued and adds eight programs never available on WDET.

“WDET now offers the kind of programming one expects from a public radio service,” said Allen Mazurek, interim WDET Program Director. “Programs like Fresh Air, Car Talk and NPR news define public radio for millions of listeners nationwide.”

“NPR is thrilled that our programs are extending their national reach with WDET, a great radio station that has a long and distinguished history of service to the Detroit community,” said Jay Kernis, NPR’s Senior vice President for Programming. “We hope that WDET listeners find them valuable and enjoyable and, if they cause listeners to remain in their cars a little longer, we’ll be happy and sorry at the same time.”

Listeners can get complete program information at WDET’s website: wdetfm.org. A new program schedule is attached.