Why the change?

WMOT is licensed to Middle Tennessee State University. While, most of WMOT’s programming budget comes from listener/community support, the majority of the station’s overall budget is provided by the university.

Recent state budget cuts to higher education have forced MTSU to take a hard look at every program/department on campus, including WMOT.

MTSU has instructed WMOT to devise a plan to become less dependent on university funding in the next two years.

After nearly a year of debating, deliberating, consulting, the staff feels that this new schedule positions WMOT on the path to a much stronger financial position to continue the station’s public service mission.

FAQ

Will you still broadcast jazz?

• Yes! The jazz you’ve come to love for nearly 30 years will continue. We’ve simply added some terrific new news programs during morning and afternoon weekday drive-time.
  
  

What is "The Takeaway"?

• "The Takeaway" is a new morning news service — on the radio and online. The program draws on the resources of a talented diverse staff of journalists, as well as the authoritative national and international resources of two of the world's most trusted news sources: BBC World Service and the "New York Times."
• "The Takeaway" is hosted live by John Hockenberry and Celeste Headlee.
• The anchor desk serves as the hub where Hockenberry and company headline news stories of the day, convene critical conversations, take live reports from the field, provide a platform for commentary and analysis, and get listeners involved in the discussion. The vast local, national and international resources of the editorial partners allow for immediate and unprecedented access to local intelligence, authentic voices and a range of perspectives.

Where does "The Takeaway" come from?

• Produced live from WNYC's studios, "The Takeaway" draws on the resources of a global news network. It is produced by WNYC and Public Radio International (PRI), in collaboration with journalistic leaders BBC World Service, the "New York Times" and WGBH Radio Boston.

When can I hear "The Takeaway"?

• 6-9 AM Monday -Friday

Is there a Web site for "The Takeaway"?

• Yes. You will be able to listen online and on demand via podcasts and join the conversation via www.wmot.org

How does"The Takeaway" differ from other morning news shows?

• "The Takeaway" is broadcast live, rather than featuring pre-recorded interviews and long pre-produced features.
• It delivers breaking news as well as all the journalistic depth and excellence that [station] listeners expect, while offering a dynamic and conversational tone.
• It features two hosts talking together live in the studio, interviewing guests and responding to listeners on-air and online. Listeners hear the day's news and cultural stories — as they are unfolding — with live reports from the field, along with commentary and analysis from a range of contributors around the table and around the world.
• It is as dynamic online as it is on the air. TheTakeaway.org expands the possibilities for our use of live and interactive content in daily broadcast and beyond.
• "The Takeaway" offers new opportunities for listeners to contribute to the conversation and allows listeners to interact, respond and take part in the development of editorial content.
• The program includes live updates from news hotspots around the globe.
• The media landscape has experienced fast-paced change, with new options on cable, the Internet and mobile technology. Along with the expanded media choices, audiences have developed new habits and preferences for interactivity with their news sources.

Who is hosting "The Takeaway"?

• John Hockenberry
  John Hockenberry has returned to public radio — where he was one of its original innovators — after 15 years in television. During his time at ABC and NBC, he earned four Emmy Awards, three Peabody Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award and a Casey Medal. Hockenberry has also been recognized for his pioneering online content. He hosts the award-winning public radio series "The DNA Files" and currently sits as a Distinguished Fellow at the prestigious MIT Media Lab. He is a contributing editor for Conde Nast "Portfolio" and "Metropolis" magazines and has written for the "New York Times," "The New Yorker," "I.D.," "Columbia Journalism Review," "Details," "Wired" and the "Washington Post."
• Celeste Headlee

Before joining The Takeaway, Celeste was the Midwest correspondent for NPR’s Day to Day, covering a wide variety of stories: from the auto industry to art, the presidential election to toilet smuggling. From 2001-2006, she was a reporter at public radio station WDET, in Detroit. Previously, she was the local Morning Edition anchor at public radio station KNAU in Flagstaff, Arizona. Her news reports have aired on NPR, the Pacifica Network, National Native News and Public Radio International. She has also reported for the Detroit News. Her work has been honored with multiple awards from the Michigan Chapter of the Associated Press, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, and the Metro Detroit Society of Professional Journalists.

Is it national or local?

• "The Takeaway" is a new national news program for public radio, distributed by Public Radio International.

Will I be able to get local news and weather on "The Takeaway"?

• Yes. There are regular updates of local news and weather on "The Takeaway"

Will I be able to listen to "The Takeaway" wmot.org?

• Yes. "The Takeaway" streams live on www.wmot.org during broadcast. You can also navigate to TheTakeaway.org to listen on demand, download podcasts, check out multimedia features and participate in the ongoing conversation.

Will regular programming on "The Takeaway" be interrupted for breaking local news like severe weather or a steam pipe explosion?

• Yes. This station's commitment is to provide important breaking news. National programming on "The Takeaway" will be interrupted with breaking local news bulletins that may be important to our listeners.