Station Showcase Shows
Long-form, cutting edge program blocks
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Showcase shows are discreet, station-produced programs that present a wide range of material from multiple producers--documentaries, short pieces, commentaries, essays, raw sound. Occasionally they are themed per episode or as a show more generally. There aren't really any rules.
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* The Local Option
WMPG 90.9 and 104.1FM
Portland, ME Hosted by Kerry Seed
- WMPG's The Local Option is like a mix tape for Portland. It's the greatest radio from PRX with a local twist. Every week, Kerry Seed curates an exciting mix of the best English language radio from around the world, focusing the stories on what is happening in Portland, Maine.
Hear it Thursdays 7:30pm on WMPG 90.9 and 104.1FM. -
* The Plan
KGLT 91.9
Bozeman, MT
Hosted by Barrett Golding -
Perhaps you didn't know there was a Plan. Well, there is:
The Plan transmits all human knowledge on a single subject as thirty minutes of rhythmic radio bursts. You have been selected by the Planetary Powers to receive this week's Plan.
You will then have The Plan. Your will then know The Plan. Do Not Attempt to Change The Plan. -
Radio Lab
WNYC 93.9FM and AM820
New York, NY Hosted by Jad Abumrad -
Remember that late 80s TV show Quantum Leap, where each week Dr. Sam Beckett found himself in a new world and his job was to figure out the rules of that world? Radio Lab is a little bit like that. Except without the time travel. And it's a radio show.
The show's aesthetic, a sort of "magical realism" for the radio, blends reporting, storytelling, and conversation, all illustrated by lush and surreal sound design. Airs Fridays at 3PM on 93.9FM and at 7PM on AM820; Sundays at 4PM on 93.9FM and at 8PM on AM820. -
Magnetic Tape
WZBC 90.3
Boston College, MA Hosted by Justin Grotelueschen
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The stated purpose of Magnetic Tape is "to expose stories from new and seasoned producers who create creative, edgy, and relevant radio works that you don't hear often enough on your average public radio station." Rebels with a good cause, we say.
Magnetic Tape is no longer broadcasting, but you can visit their archives to listen to past shows. -
Arts and Ideas
WCAI 90.1/WNAN 91.1
Woods Hole, MA
Hosted by Jay Allison
Sample Arts and Ideas Playlist
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Arts and Ideas showcases an eclectic mix of international, national and local features and programs exploring an array of topics. Do you like the arts? How about ideas? Of course you do - you like public radio.
Meticulous and aware, Jay Allison mixes an interesting collage of pieces apropos to current events and issues. Arts and Ideas airs Sunday 7:00pm after "This American Life." -
WYSO Weekend
WYSO 91.3
Yellow Springs, OH Hosted by Linda Nelson - Are your Saturdays full of endless errands? Wild parties? Soccer games and popsicle stick crafts? Maybe it's time to slow down before Monday returns. WYSO Weekend explores various facets of our world at a relaxed, Sunday morning pace. Content includes interviews with notable neighbors from the Miami Valley region, documentary features from public broadcasters and independent producers across America and abroad, commentaries, music, and even some radio drama and visits to the WYSO archives. Airs Sundays at 10am, after "Weekend Edition."
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Essential Radio
90.5 WNPR
New Haven, CT Hosted by John Dankosky - Essential Radio includes documentaries, interviews and special programs. Features and discussions have included the death penalty and religion, the risks of terrorism in America, celebrations of holidays and traditions, and stories of every-day people. The pieces are presented by award-winning journalists, alongside the nation's top independent radio producers. Aired Sundays from 6-7pm after "All Things Considered".
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* Listening Lounge
90.3 and 106.7 KFAI
Mpls and St. Paul, MN
Hosted by Ahndi Fridell and Todd Melby
Youth Radio - Sample Listening Lounge Playlist -
The Listening Lounge is a weekly half-hour showcase of radio documentaries from around the world, which encompasses a wide range of styles: from narrative stories to sound-rich explorations, from audio portraits to investigative reports.
Why documentaries? "Documentaries provide a valuable perspective on public affairs issues. They connect us to people, places and events in a way that headlines cannot. They encourage us to listen deeply to the world around us." Airs Wednesdays at 11:30am. -
Re:sound
91.5 WBEZ
Chicago, IL
Hosted by Gwen Macsai
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Hosted by long-time producer and essayist Gwen Macsai, Re:sound brings you intriguing radio stories culled from around the world. Styles of pieces range from experimental sound art to humorous essays, from personal narratives to investigative documentaries. What will you hear on Re:sound? "Producer interviews, audio glimpses of everyday sounds, and lots of new music." Brought to you by the Third Coast Festival.
Broadcast Sundays at 2, after "This American Life". -
Sunday Night Specials
91.5 WBEZ
Chicago, IL
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Sunday Night Specials features a wide-ranging mix of unique programs, including documentaries, music, interviews, and lectures from a variety of sources. Broadcast Sundays After the Tavis Smiley Show from 7-9pm.
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WCQS Specials
88.1 WCQS
Western North Carolina
- A different special every week. Airs Sundays at 6, after "All Things Considered."
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KUOW Presents . . .
94.9 KUOW
Seattle, WA
Compiled by Arvid Hokanson - The best in local and national program specials. Tune in to KUOW online or at 94.9 FM to hear who will be on KUOW Presents. Airs Monday night at 8:00pm.
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KXOT (KUOW2) Presents . . .
Online and on HD Radio
Compiled by Arvid Hokanson - The best in local and national program specials.
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The Best of Public Radio
90.5 KUT
Austin, TX
Compiled and chosen by Hawk Mendenhall -
The Best of Public Radio focuses upon independently-produced stories and features, which "cover the world in a different and entertaining way." Like hearing a new "Greatest Hits" album by your favorite artists every week. And what's not to like about that?
Airs Sundays at 11am, after "Selected Shorts." -
UPR Presents
89.9, UPR
Logan, Utah
- A new special every week. Broadcasts Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. after "Access Utah" and repeated Thursdays at 3:00 a.m after "Concert Hall."
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Other Voices
89.7 WKSU
Kent, Ohio
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Other Voices is WKSU's weekly presentation of the best in public radio long-form documentary and journalism from across the country, including the work of WKSU's award-winning newsroom. Selections are chosen from the best of radio offerings that don't always fit into regular news programming.
Other Voices can be heard on WKSU on Sundays from 6-7am. -
* VPR Showcase Show
107.9 Vermont Public Radio
Colchester, Vermont
- "VPR Presents..." is VPR's occasional series featuring compelling thoughts and ideas from a wide variety of people.
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* NHPR's Best of Public Radio
89.1 WEVO
Concord, New Hampshire
- On Saturdays at 4 pm, NHPR presents documentaries, special reports and features. Tune in for a sampling of the very best in public radio.
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* Marfa's PRXperience
93.5 FM KRTS
Marfa, Texas
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KRTS Original. Monday through Thursday 12?1 pm
The best of public broadcasting, compiled from the Public Radio Exchange.
Naturally, PRX is a huge resource of all this good stuff.
This is a list of showcase shows familiar to us. We especially like the different production styles. If you have a showcase show and would like to be added to this list, please email editassist@prx.org with your information and a link to your station's website.
PRX-funded showcase shows are starred; support is from the National Endowment for the Arts. Read the grant announcement here.
© 2007, The Public Radio Exchange
