NPR: NYT: NPR Is Canceling The 'BPP'

NYT: NPR Is Canceling The 'BPP'

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This just in, from the New York Times:

National Public Radio officials are expected on Monday to tell the staff members of "Bryant Park Project" that their experimental weekday morning program, designed to draw a younger audience to public radio and capture listeners who had moved online, is being canceled.

The last broadcast of this New York-based program, which many listeners tuned into at npr.org rather than over the air, is expected to be on July 25. It's an expensive failure -- the first-year budget was more than $2 million -- and comes at a time when NPR is facing the same financial constraints as other news media thanks to higher costs and a downturn in underwriting.

Laura Conaway

9:18 PM ET | 07-13-2008 | permalink

Comments

This is a sad day.

Sent by Rae Whitlock | 9:40 PM ET | 07-13-2008

This infuriates me. I'm so irritated by the NPR and PBS short-term attempts to bring in younger audiences that are canceled before they're allowed to flourish! I work for a PBS station, btw. I tried to give $$$ to support BPP but couldn't because of the (our) outmoded support model--I would've had to re-up at one of two local NPR stations, neither of which actually makes the BPP available to me, rather than directly support the program I love. Perhaps we can create a direct support campaign, not unlike how This American Life does quarterly or so to pay for their bandwidth?!?

Sent by Daphne | 9:41 PM ET | 07-13-2008

This is incredibly disappointing and upsetting. Does PBS not understand what an incredibly loyal audience BPP has built via their use of social media? It seems so very short-sighted to cancel the program when it's less than a year old.

Sent by Marilyn | 9:53 PM ET | 07-13-2008

I understand the paper chase that goes on with all forms of media but as someone who grew up on NPR in my mother's station wagon, this was the first thing that NPR has done to really get me actively engaged since broadcasting Garrison Keillor's "Guy Noir" skits for the first time.

Mistake. What a shame. Hope this returns in some other form. Wish you guys the best.

And no...I'm not going to start listening to the TakeAway.

Sent by John Ratcliffe-Lee | 9:55 PM ET | 07-13-2008

Heartbreaking news.

Sent by Mike Nash | 10:01 PM ET | 07-13-2008

I'm in shock. I can't believe NPR is cancelling the BPP. It was the first show that really appealed to me outside of NPR's hard news shows. Smart, savvy, insightful and funny. The BPP is responsible for my adopting Twitter because they did such an amazing job with it. I can't imagine not getting BPP updates on Twitter anymore. This is incredibly depressing.

Sent by bb | 10:05 PM ET | 07-13-2008

This is NOT a wise decision! This show engages me on news-related items more than any other news program I have ever listened to. It is more relevant to me than Morning Edition, Fresh Air, etc. And I really like both of those programs. It's just that BPP hits a lot closer to home for me. It talks about issues I care about. I've told so many people about it over the past several months. I have never been involved with a news or radio program more than with BPP. I follow the Tweets. I access the Facebook. I care about what happens on the show. This really ticks me off. So many things in the country right now where there are top-down decisions making my life less enojoyable, and now NPR sticks it to me, too. Extremely disappointed in Ohio.

Sent by T. Weiss | 10:13 PM ET | 07-13-2008

Okay who's inbox do we need to fill up? This is absolutely ridiculous. NPR CANNOT cancel this show...it's more than a show...it's an online community...social media at its best! Not fair when you've had one of the key hosts out on maternity leave, too.

Let me know where to send my scathing protest email. Very sad.

Sent by Kristasphere | 10:16 PM ET | 07-13-2008

no no no no!!!!!!!! I download this podcast every day and listen. I follow on twitter and facebook. Please tell me it isn't so!

Sent by CJ Jackson | 10:27 PM ET | 07-13-2008

I just clicked on NPR to see if I might listen to some of Friday's show before bed, and I find this wretched news. Why oh why? I'm too old (55) and now too sad (on a scale of 1 to 10, a 10) to find anything else so bright and smart and engaging on the air or the internet. There isn't anything, is there? Perhaps this is a BPP prank and we will all wake up from this weird NPR nightmare.

Sent by Rick | 10:43 PM ET | 07-13-2008

This is very, very heartbreaking to hear!!!! I have been listening to you guys through the podcasts since almost the beginning. I don't know what I will do without you guys since I depended on your voices every day of the work week. Whenever I would get behind on your podcasts (switching jobs or days off), I made sure I listened to every single one of them so I wouldn't miss out on anything! The BPP will always be awesome in my book.

Sent by Natasha | 10:53 PM ET | 07-13-2008

I'm likely destined (doomed?) to be a lifetime public radio junkie, but until the BPP, I found myself increasingly listening to shows that were not NPR-branded. The BPP has taken over as my top listening priority, and with it I've found new appreciation for the NPR news machine and an approachable access point for it. I'm incredibly sad at the prospect of losing that access point and the personalities that came with it.

Sent by Seth in Kansas | 10:56 PM ET | 07-13-2008

This is horrible news. The only reason I bought my ipod earlier this year was to listen to the BPP at work. Up until then, no other podcast made me motivated enough to spend the money.

Sent by Steve | 11:03 PM ET | 07-13-2008

It seems a little bizarre to try something so bold, and give it so little time to succeed. What exactly did they expect to achieve in nine months? Maybe we should have taken a cue from Joss Whedon and started a "Save the BPP" campaign last October. I am a bit surprised that NPR did not try to fund the show from its audience. I'm sure that direct contributions a la This American Life would not add up to $2 million, but it would have been a more direct measure of audience support than a stupid survey, and might have provided a new source of revenue for NPR.

My favorite aspects of the show were the integrated blog/twitter/video/radio and the broad participation of the staff. It would be nice to see these features incorporated into other NPR programming.

Good luck to everyone involved with the show!

Sent by Dave Wiley | 11:11 PM ET | 07-13-2008

So sad...

I spent the past six months or so listening to the show, ever since Luc Burbank's (hope I spelled it right) last week. Though he drew me in initially, The show has kept up a great standard of both educational and fun content, which was always interesting to hear and listen to.
I too hope there will be some sort of other format that this show could take, which would allow it to continue to entertain and inform me, as well as others.

Amir.

Sent by Amir Yoeli | 11:16 PM ET | 07-13-2008

Dagnabbit. My morning commute brightened considerably when I tuned in to the BPP

Sent by Chris Glass | 11:24 PM ET | 07-13-2008

For me, the BPP was a way to stay informed without having to read several different sources: it was the right mix of headliners, novelty news, and downright lighthearted hilarity. This show was a bright spot in my day that will be sorely missed. Whoever said that the BPP failed to reach young audiences was wrong, at least in my ballpark--I'm 16 years old and this is the first program that I've ever tried to convince all my friends to tune in on.

Sent by Vivian | 11:39 PM ET | 07-13-2008

Nooooooooooo!!!!!!! How on Earth am I going to make it through my awful workday without the BPP?!?

Sent by Sad Carey | 11:52 PM ET | 07-13-2008

Why not give the listeners a chance to rescue the show by offering financial support directly to the show?

Sent by Elleth | 12:01 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I'm sorry to hear this. I enjoyed following you all on Twitter. I hope we'll be able to follow you in your next endeavor(s).

Sent by ayse (arse poetica) | 12:01 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is terrible news. I'm right in the demographic NPR needs to attract to be successful in the future (male, 24, with a college degree). The BPP was an amazing find for me when I discovered it about six months ago. It is everything I could want in a public radio show, but it was meant to speak to me, in the language of my generation without condescension. This move is short-sighted.

Sent by G. Heaven | 12:31 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is sad. BPP is the only NPR item that I actually RSS. Too brilliant for it's time, due to be canceled is probably accurate. NPR still doesn't understand why people wouldn't want to support TAL only to have all the episodes become per-purchase under Audible.

Sent by zinger | 12:42 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Ever since the BPP's pilot episodes, I've found it a refreshing alternative to Morning Edition. The BPP actually succeeded in combining old and new media into a fantastic news source. At a time when "traditional" media outlets are feeling pressure from new internet media, I am disappointed that the BPP's success will not being rewarded.

Sent by John Cieslewicz | 12:51 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is so disappointing. I just starting downloading the podcasts a few months ago, and I got hooked instantly. I love the format and the topics for in depth stories.

Sent by Maggie | 1:05 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I really enjoy this show and hope that NPR reconsiders the decision to cancel it.

Sent by Lisa B. | 1:36 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is a hard piece of news to take, especially given that, like a lot of other people who work in public radio, I'm trying really really hard to find ways for our station's programming (and how we deliver it) to evolve in the face of rapid and scary change on every imaginable front. BPP has been a real inspiration to us in that effort, in more ways than I can count.

Special kudos to Laura for blogging this news here, as tough as it must have been to post it tonight. It speaks volumes about the integrity of this show, in all its forms...

Sent by Terry Green | 1:39 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I love, love, love the BPP. So, so sad. Never much went in for talk news shows before you guys.

Sent by Jennifer S. | 1:43 AM ET | 07-14-2008

NO! I just discovered you guys. This is not right.

Sent by Jenner | 1:54 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Say it ain't so! I'm an ex-pat living in Sweden and listen every day via podcast or the web. I can't believe NPR would be so short-sighted as to pull it after only 9 months...especially with the way the political climate is turning in the U.S. right now.

I'm with @Kristasphere...who's e-mail inbox do we have to bomb with protest letters?

Sent by Sharon Bowker | 2:15 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Seriously? This is the one podcast I faithfully listen to every day. I love this show, and am gutted that it's not going to continue.

Sent by Lisa S. | 2:22 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is just plain wrong. I'm 47 and way out of the target demographic but this show clearly hit the target of mixing hard news with personality. I listen to it online every day at lunch and then finish when I get home from work. I even hear it's influence on the "traditional" broadcasts loosening them up a bit.

It was dumb to try this if they weren't going to give it at least a couple of years. How long did it take Morning Edition to gain it's original audience way back? Hmmm?

Sent by Marc Helgeson | 2:43 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I've been listening to at least part of the show almost every day since you have started.

I can't help to think what would happen if Alison Stewart were to come back. She was radio gold.

Was she ever planning to come back?

Sent by Erik in New Jersey | 3:11 AM ET | 07-14-2008

i'm incredibly disappointed; i love npr, and this show has been the highlight for quite some time. the twitters, etc. has made the show fun and easy to connect to. i wish npr would consider giving such an exciting new show some more time--less than a year is simply not enough to compete with some old favorites, particularly when this show isn't broadcast everywhere on radio and must be podcasted (at least where i am).

we will miss you, bpp and we wish you well.

Sent by ame | 3:45 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Very sad and disappointing news. I counted on the BPP every weekday morning for updates on news and pop culture. I don't know of any other radio show that can fill this void (and yes, I did listen to "the takeaway" and I wasn't impressed.

Sent by Frances | 5:22 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Just got the news...and it breaks my heart. You guys were the best find last year and I was looking forward to having the BPP in my life for much, much longer. You will be missed whole heartedly.

Sent by Summer Ash | 5:30 AM ET | 07-14-2008

That's a shame. I really enjoyed this show, and listened to both hours every day for the last few months. This quickly rose to the top of my playlists, up there with On The Media and This American Life, The Business and The Sound of Young America. I really wish this show would stick around, since I just found it and have only now started telling people about it.

Sent by chris | 5:50 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is amazingly bad news, and pretty stupid. BPP makes up about 50% of my MP3 listening at the moment, and is the only daily podcast I bother following.

But when you look at the number of stations BBP is broadcast on, it's negligible. And The Takeaway rules out some big outlets for non-Morning Edition public broadcasting.

Sent by Marc Naimark | 5:59 AM ET | 07-14-2008

What was the point of investing all that money and talent if NPR was only going to give the BPP less than a year to take hold? You have so many loyal followers - people who actually engage in a dialog with you - even though you're only on a handful of stations. That shows so much long-term potential. This is very clearly a penny-wise and pound-foolish decision.

Whatever NPR's flawed decision making process may be, I hope you all know that by any reasonable standard you have made a groundbreaking, funny, informative, fascinating, and very successful show.

If any of you know before the show and blog disappear, please let us know where we can hear your work in the future. Best of luck to you all.

Sent by Maura | 6:33 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am very sad - more on air later today
xoxoxox to all of you
Rob

Sent by Robert Paterson | 6:35 AM ET | 07-14-2008

It's a shame because the show had potential, but to be honest I could see the cancelation coming. The problem with shows that try this hard to appeal to a young demographic is that the pandering usually is apparent. BPP always infuriates me when the hosts insist on showing how clever and hip and ironic they are. Really it went downhill as soon as Burbank left. The current host might be the worst offender, competing against himself to use words it's not clear he understands and attempting to portray himself as knowing everything that matters.

Sent by Pavel | 6:36 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Clearly the decision-makers at NPR don't understand the value of new media or the value of the community that has grown around the BPP (esp. through its use of Twitter).

The BPP staff was innovative and risk-taking, and they were awarded with a cancellation.

Way to bring new listeners into the staid NPR lineup!

Good luck with those demographics in the future.

Sent by Carlo Scannella | 7:01 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is really sad and upsetting. As a podcast, the BPP had become a part of my morning/workday ritual. (Perhaps this was the cause -- NPR is not ready to accept that broadcasting on a single platform is no longer a viable form of media. It is now about reaching as many ears as possible WHATEVER the means.

I wish you the best of luck in future endeavors and hope everyone involved takes pride in participating in one of the most subtly groundbreaking (George Carlin, you hear that?!) radio programs ever. The BPP melded terrestrial radio with the internet, video, twitter, newsletters -- and other broadcast technologies I'm sure I'm forgetting -- in a way I'd never seen before. The BPP brought it's listeners NPR news interspersed throughout a conversational free form radio show infused with a humorous, socially aware, and curious voice. My mornings will never be the same.

Good luck Alison, Bill, the mighty Mike Pesca, Matt, Trish, Pash, Ian, Laura, and everyone else over there!

The Bryant Park Project was too beautiful to live.

Sent by Dan M | 7:02 AM ET | 07-14-2008

this is a very bad and premature decision. it's like having to stick with an old guy like mccain instead of going with the young energetic new guy....

Sent by janet | 7:05 AM ET | 07-14-2008

DOH! How silly and stupid. I am directly in the cross hairs of your target audience and I listen EVERY DAY to the BPP via Internet.

GRRRRRRR. Very poor thinking NPR: this is a bad decision.

Sent by Gil Payson | 7:09 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Hi,

I listen to your show on the Internet. I'm from Casablanca Morocco. It's a sad news. I got used to listen to BPP specially because it's aired at 11 AM GMT and here in Morocco the time is GMT+1 in the summer.

Good luck for the future.

Sent by Hicham | 7:11 AM ET | 07-14-2008

It sounds like you guys found out from the NY Times. Printing a story on Monday that says "...officials are expected on Monday to tell..."

If the budget was such a big issue, make it an hour-long show instead of two. Alternate days for the Most and the Ramble, have one geek story, do world, national, maybe a special interest story and you've almost got your hour. Crimeny it doesn't sound like they tried. At least with TV they move around the time slots and in Japan they shorten the length of the program if it's waning in popularity; they don't always cancel it altogether.

Sent by Sarah Lee | 7:13 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Have to add to the comment on pledge support. If part of the reason BPP didn't get air time was because stations feared non-broadcast platforms would cut them out of pledge money, NPR needs to find a solution to that. But NPR also needs to find a solution for podcast/web listeners who can't show their support via a local station. I would have made a donation during a pledge drive to my local station to support BPP, but I don't listen on a local station. Instead this year I gave money to This American Life. I would have given more in total if I could have been voting with my listener dollar for public radio shows I like.

PS: What happened to that 200 million from Joan Kroc?

Sent by Marc Naimark | 7:14 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I love you BPP. This is the only show I listen to on Sirius.

Sent by Sam | 7:31 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Nooooo. Noooo. Tell your fearless leaders that you captured this OLDER (50) listener who absorbs good radio regardless of delivery system.

So sorry.

Sent by Martha | 7:32 AM ET | 07-14-2008

fyi.....npr media relations phone is 202-513-2300. npr listener services is 202-513-3232. npr fax is 202-513-3329. tell them AGAIN and AGAIN what you think!!!

Sent by janet | 7:41 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!
This breaks my heart...

Sent by Cheshire | 7:54 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is very dissapointing! While not perfect, the BPP has so much potential.
This show succeeds in bringing a (regretably) fading medium (radio) up to step with the internet age. It brings an important demographic into the NPR fold, and saves my generation from junk like CNN and Fox News, one listener at a time. Moreover, it taps into the emerging "web 2.0" style of letting the consumers influence the product.

In addition to being an innovative program, it is immensely entertaining and informative, and I will miss it dearly.

Sent by Em | 7:55 AM ET | 07-14-2008

What is going on here? Just as I found something to keep me happy and well informed about current issues, the BPP is cancelled! How do we fight this? I am ready to put on my camoflage and fight the man against this injustice!

Sent by Jenn | 8:06 AM ET | 07-14-2008

OK. Fine.

But now what is NPR going to do for those of us who listen on Sirius? Without ME and ATC there is seems to be no regular news programming on SIR. The BPP was the only alternative to the talk shows Fresh Air, DTD, Diane Rehm, TOTN, Radio Times that cycle endlessly on both SIR NPR stations.

Dropping in yet another run of Fresh Air (to compliment the EIGHT HOURS of FA that run every weekday) or a couple hours of Diane Rehm (who's currently clocking in at TEN hours daily) is unacceptable. For the 48 hours of programming across the two SIR channels, fully 38% of weekday programming is covered by these two shows.

I've listened to NPR for two decades and in my estimation NPR has no news shows that sound or are distributed like BPP. It's a winning wonderful formula. Think hard before you pull BPP from Sirius to make sure that there is a real news replacement. Better yet, bite the bullet and give us ME and ATC.

Sent by Dan S. | 8:10 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is such bad news. I really enjoy your show. I just tried calling the media relations number, but no one answers until after ten.

Is there someone we can send nuts to?

Sent by Beth | 8:15 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Oh no! Can we do anything?

I love this show. It's become my favorite show on NPR. I know I am not alone.

Sent by Alison | 8:15 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Under the ever-increasing list of dumb moves made by NPR this jumps right to the top. Perhaps it is an effort to meet the ratings of CNN and the quality gauntlet set down by Time, Newsweek and other paradigms of modern journalism, NPR has made the greatest mistake of well, at least this year and perhaps since dropping Bob Edwards a couple of months before his 25 th anniversary.

Well done.

Sent by Peter Caron | 8:15 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I'm a 26 year old, am I not the audience NPR is trying to get? I listen to the BPP every morning in its entirety at work. I honestly don't know what morning news show I will replace it with, although I do know it won't be Morning Edition. I can't even express how disappointing I find NPR decision.

Sent by Jennifer | 8:17 AM ET | 07-14-2008

prob a good thing the show got canceled.
the idea that the younger listeners of NPR are any different in thier interests than the older listeners is somewhat of an insult to both groups.
this foray into short attention span constant audio track annoyingly playing in the background programming was a joke, constantly annoyed me as a long time listener enough to listen to other things when this show is on.
goodby to a bad idea.

Sent by j hebert | 8:18 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is sad. I just discovered this show a few months ago and listen online at work every day. My coworker has a constant throat clearing problem and BPP helps keep me sane.

Sent by Katie | 8:18 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Terrible news.

SAVE THE BPP!

Sent by Andrew Eickmann | 8:20 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is truly tragic. I love this show so much, it makes my mornings bright and filled with laughter. I hope you all who have worked so hard to make Bryant Park and excellent program have wonderful lives. I will miss dearly the time I spent getting to know you through the blog and through listening to the show. Farewell.

Sent by Justin Palmer | 8:20 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is so awful! I saw this coming, but I really hoped it wouldn't happen. I am one of those few people who got to listen to BPP on regular FM radio AND I also listened to the podcast when I couldn't catch the real thing. I never miss it. Now what???

Sent by Ali in VT | 8:20 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I only found you 2 weeks ago! You are a good news program for people with anxiety problems. I was told to quit listening to the regular news by the Dr. But you cover the main news and can still be cheerful about other things. Wish I can change things for you.
Neva

Sent by Neva Smith | 8:21 AM ET | 07-14-2008

How can we save the BPP? We need to figure it out before it is too late. I need my quirky "Ramble" and "The Most" segments.

Sent by Matthew Stone | 8:21 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Is it wrong that I want to call NPR and cuss them out? I've been listening to y'all via the internet almost every day since you started. You were nice enough to interview me. Sometimes, you make me giggle when I have my headphones on and my coworkers look at me suspiciously.

Matthew and I both are extremely saddened and angry about this. I guess like Arrested Development, y'all are too awesome to go on.

- Kerry, Radio-sweethearts.com

Sent by Kerry Crawford | 8:22 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Wow, this is terrible! I listen every day on Sirius and my wife podcasts it. I hate how if everything isn't an overnight powerhouse it gets canned. I hope NPR replaces it with something decent on Sirius and not YET ANOTHER hour of repeats...

Sent by Mike | 8:22 AM ET | 07-14-2008

How can this be? I am new to NPR.ORG and the BPP. I have loved this show more than any other. It hasn't been available to me on WVTF. I listen everyday online. I like the programs that WVTF provides, but I can take it or leave it. I might as well listen to music all day on standard radio!

Sent by Sharon | 8:22 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I have been an avid NPR listener my entire life (what a geek, right?). BPP finally gave us smart AND funny. It has become my favorite NPR show. I download it on ITunes every day!!! Help! Please! Don't do it! I'll be calling listener services later.

Sent by Pattie Carlin | 8:24 AM ET | 07-14-2008

When I plugged in this morning and heard the news, my heart shattered. I work in a cubicle farm and this incredibly entertaining, humorous and intelligent show was the highlight of my day. I hope NPR finds that this was a huge mistake and is able to keep this show going.

Sent by ricardo alonso | 8:26 AM ET | 07-14-2008

as a photojournalist living overseas for the last 20 years tuning into NPR since the first days of ATC i am sad to see bryant park project go, a fresh voice i hope is reincarnated, it had become my vurtual neighborhood, a home away from home pb -tokyo

Sent by peter | 8:27 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am a 44 year old male, who listened to BPP every morning on Sirius. I maybe a little old for your demographic, but you hooked me. I am an avid NPR fan, and found the BPP to be refreshing, different and after hearing one show last summer, I switched from Morning Edition right away. Is there a way to get NPR to reconsider?

I learned so many new things, including twittering, great music selections, great film reviews and a new take on sports.

I feel sorry for all of the staff, and hope you'll find yourselves doing something this fun again. I could tell each time the staff was on, everyone was enjoying this. It was truly evident to all who listened.

I will sorely miss my BPP morning fix.

Sent by Macabee | 8:29 AM ET | 07-14-2008

very disappointed with NPR, the BPP is such a great show.
Good luck to you all

Sent by D | 8:29 AM ET | 07-14-2008

So sorry to hear this. Such a completely wrong-headed decision. I can't even imagine what criteria NPR based this on.

If I don't get another chance to say it, thanks for all the content, and all the hours of listening. If this does indeed go down today, you will be very, very missed.

Sent by Brad S. | 8:29 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I listen to BPP on NPR Now on Sirius and before this show came on, there really wasn't anything appealing on this station. Because it appealed to a new NPR audience, I found myself sharing things that I heard on the show with many of my friends and urging them to listen to and support the show and NPR. I pay for my Sirius subscription, but I also support NPR during local fund drives. This is a real shame.

Sent by Doug | 8:29 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Public radio has now basically said: We'll pay lip service to younger audiences but in reality we don't have the guts (the resources) or the will to serve an audience that's under 50 years old. /sigh

Sent by jorge | 8:29 AM ET | 07-14-2008

The BPP can't go! I am a 20 year old senior in college and I love the show. I listen to it all day nearly every day online at my internship. The radio personalities are one of a kind. The BPP keeps the news fresh and the politics unbiased. The project has a faithful following, hopefully PBS management can realize this and reverse the shows termination.

Sent by Devin Deane | 8:30 AM ET | 07-14-2008

WHAT?!!!

Sent by Steve Petersen | 8:32 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am distraught, I found BPP via Satellite Radio last Fall ('07). I fell in love with the seemingly "random" news that was always on point and brings different stories than that which I read in the Washington Post. Recently, I have moved and have a longer commute. Now I fear what I will have to listen to on the drive, as BPP always made the drive shorter. I am a recent college grad and software engineer who considered expanding outside the BPP box to other NPR programming. However, if the attitude of NPR is to cancel THE show that I enjoy and squash a younger feeling journalistic flavor, then maybe the rest of NPR is NOT worth my time. Something MUST be done to save this program. (I would say radio show, but it is sooooo much more than that!) Thank you all at the BPP for the devotion you have given to bringing the news to my morning. I am struggling with the idea you will be off the air, so soon (it is rather abrupt)!

Sent by Matt Gilkeson | 8:32 AM ET | 07-14-2008

How sad -- especially when you consider the many worse ways that the US government spends its money. You guys brought a glimpse of next generation thinking to an old establishment and NPR had a more effective message with you in the mix. I guess you cant teach an old dog new tricks when theres a war of ideas on controlled by the old guard during an economic downturn. Good luck to all of you in the future and i have no doubt your quick irreverent wit will see you through.

Sent by Mike in Dubai | 8:38 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Boooo! This show is the best thing NPR has going. They aren't going to bring younger listeners in if they don't keep the show. BPP was a great idea, it's a great show, the people on it are fun. Where else am I going to go? You've left me to wander the interweb to try and find something that will inevitably be half as good.

Sent by Andy Johnson | 8:38 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I would have thought that NPR would have seen more value in continuing to cultivate a younger audience with the Bryan Park Project. I will truly miss Mike Pesca's engaging interview style and all of the show's informative and entertaining content during my morning commute. I may have to tune my satellite radio away from NPR and over to Fox News.... no, I don't think I'm that disenfranchised.

Sent by Pete | 8:38 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I echo the comments listed above. The BPP is a show that is informative, timely, and energetic in a way that no other NPR program is. It has an appeal that crosses age, gender, race, and political divisions. I'm a young professional with a politically conservative background, and I have friends across the political spectrum who enjoy the BPP to the same extent that I do. I truly enjoyed listening to Alison Stewart, and thought that the switch to Mike Pesca was a difficult one to swallow...but with my adjusting to him (and his adjusting to his new position), I have come to savor my BPP mornings just as much as I did in the pre-Mike days, if not more. The team is cohesive, funny, entertaining and informative. It draws listeners and keeps our attention. I cannot say how many times I have gotten to work and had to sit in my car to keep listening to an engaging story on the BPP...and when I can't catch the whole show, I too listen on the web. I am saddened and disheartened that NPR would make such a short-sighted and poorly reasoned decision as to cancel the BPP. Shows such as the BPP are the only reason that I even consider donating to NPR; cancelling the BPP takes away a significant draw for diverse listenership.

Sent by Dean | 8:39 AM ET | 07-14-2008

During the last school year my 12 year old son and I *loved* listening to BBP on the way to school. I also subscribed to the podcast for the gym. It is true that Mike Pesca is a bit harder to take than Burbank and other guest hosts, and he stepped on everyone else's lines, but I even got used to him ;-). The point is that it is *alive* fast-paced, and funny, instead of the snoring quality of Morning Edition. The delivery system worked!! I'd donate to this show in a heart-beat. It's good radio!

Sent by Kent Livingston | 8:40 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is the best radio show in my opinion. It's the only radio show I listen to on Sirius radio. NPR is being short sighted and making a big mistake in cancelling this program.

I will now be looking for a non-NPR radio show.

Sent by steve | 8:42 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Oh, yet another example of big conglomerations selling web media completely short. Ostrichs with their head in the sand. Yours was by far the most entertaining NPR show out there. It'll be a shame to see you guys go.

Sent by Joanna | 8:48 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This show got me listening to NPR again! How very disappointing. I love the format of the show and find it great for mornings. NPR is doing a stupid thing by not letting this show stay on the air.

Sent by Audrey Smith | 8:49 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Absolutely disappointing - the BPP is a great show with intelligent hosts and a solid lineup - isn't this what listeners want? Isn't there someway to keep the show going?

Sent by disheartened | 8:53 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am so sad about this news, and I am with Krista and the rest, take the phn/fax numbers Janet posted and LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

Sent by Kerstin Upmeyer (Kittydew) | 8:53 AM ET | 07-14-2008

PLEASE follow up with any ways listeners can support the BPP. If there is an opportunity to get you back on the air, I'd like to be a part of it.

Sent by Jenny Bates | 8:53 AM ET | 07-14-2008

So let me get this straight. You invest two million to attract new and younger listeners. You succeed with the best and most interesting program on NPR, but decide the continuing cost is prohibitive to the develop the permanent NPR listening habits you earnestly desire and need for future support.

Truly you deserve the future you are creating, where you run the NPR begathons for a dwindling listener base of retirees and nursing home clients.

This is classic short sighted management, and one day I suspect BPP and NPR will be a case study in business colleges on how to kill an entire future listener base.

Sent by Dave Donahue | 8:54 AM ET | 07-14-2008

As an NPR listener for over two decades, today I am very displeased to hear of the cancellation of the Bryant Park Project. Even though my age puts me years outside the "target" demographic for the BPP, I have found the programming to be refreshing, insightful, and memorable.

NPR's decision to cancel BPP comes on the heels of another of the network's other ill-fated decisions to remove Bob Edeards from Morning Edition. I still have not fully forgiven NPR for that transgression either.

When will NPR learn to recover from its mistakes rather than repeating them?

Sent by Mike Giglio | 8:55 AM ET | 07-14-2008

After 10 years away from the USA living in Greece, this is the ONLY show that was able to lure me back to NPR and I have listened faithfully from day one. Now it's over ALREADY before u even give it a fair chance, WHAT A SHAME!!!
I seriously doubt I will even tune in at all anymore... I'm extremely disappointed, the highlight of my work day is gone!... truly sorry to see u go, and good luck guys, from a loyal listener in Santorini, Greece!

Sent by Sharen Lena Treutel | 8:55 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am extremely disappointed by NPR's decision to pull the plug on the BPP. In my opinion, the BPP is the best show on both TV and Radio to get the latest in pop culture, art, entertainment, politics, current events, music, books and much, much more. I look forward to listening to the BPP every morning and have introduced this show to several friends who are now daily listeners too. I have always supported NPR over any other media outlet, but I don't know if I can continue my support when they have chosen to cancel one of their most honest, straight forward, enjoyable programs. Bottom line - this sucks!

Sent by sarah | 8:55 AM ET | 07-14-2008

But you're the ones who know how to USE the internet!

The ship is leaking.

Sent by Matthew Trisler | 8:59 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This truly is sad news. I'm 26 with a wife and daughter. I guess I am the target 'younger' audience that NPR was going for with the Bryant Park Project. I really enjoyed the show. It was nice to get the high quality news that I've come to expect from NPR presented in a more youthful manner. I will miss the BPP. Morning Edition and All Things Considered are great programs but they both feel geared towards people much older than me.

Sent by Theodore Campbell | 8:59 AM ET | 07-14-2008

BPP was a treasure to find. Since I started listening last year, I find that I talk about it all the time. I've got my husband into it and a turned a friend onto your book club. It has been great having a program to listen to in the more that is so interesting, and so interactive. I bought an mp3 player so that I could get the bpp podcasts when I missed a show or an hour of the show. I have never enjoyed a program as thoroughly as I have enjoyed bpp, to the point where I have become an addict to the show and I reference it several times a day. I feel like I am losing a friend, and I wish there was something I could do to make it stop.

Sent by p maloney | 9:02 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This was the only reason I listened to NPR. I used to be a dedicated Stern listener in the mornings until I found the BPP last fall.

NPR was on to something with this show by taking a big step in bringing a younger, freah and more hip show to their station for the younger listeners. This move will most definately prove to be a mistake and step backwards for the organization.

Sent by Z | 9:03 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Thank the deity that this balled (sic) face memetic rip off has finally crashed like a broken plan at an air show. OK, that was a comment because he just said the blog was one-sided. The truthiness of the matter is that the woman whose husband I am works for the public radio and we've been having a dialogue about the BPP. Being somewhat of a culture savant, I was SURE that the BPP would become the biggest development boom since sustaining memberships. The only thing I can figure is that this is a huge social network experiment and tsunami that will break on the shores of the bloggysphere where all links lead to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI.

Sent by dwolfe | 9:04 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I realize that the demographic for BPP is quite a bit younger than I (I am 59), yet, as a "child" of the 60's, I find it exciting, informative, and energizing to listen EVERY morning on my satellite radio to BPP. I have a long commute in the morning and look forward to BPP each day. I quote them on my blog and to everyone I know.
I was extremely upset and disappointed that NPR has decided to end this wonderful program....PLEASE reconsider!

Sent by Barbara Cowen | 9:07 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I feel like I've just been dumped. Hurt, angry and seeking revenge. I think we should all consult Tricia's Complaining 101 tips from last week (they're on the blog) and let NPR know how we feel... And to heap injury upon insult, I can't even listen to the stream cause the "streaming server cannot accept any more connections?!" This completely sucks.

Sent by Silas | 9:09 AM ET | 07-14-2008

lol I just started listening to this show.

Sent by Zhuangzi | 9:09 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Reconsider Please!!!!
I just turned my 16yr old son onto BPP...and your all I listen to when in the dull drums of work...

Sent by Bonnie | 9:12 AM ET | 07-14-2008

A letter to the Higher UPs!
I just have to say I have never written NPR before about programs or features, but I have literally grown up with NPR in every facet of my life. I was SO excited to find the BPP and see NPR from a fresh new perspective! I shared the show with my family and friends and got them all addicted to its quality and alternative stories. I found myself throughout the day saying more "I heard this thing on BPP" then saying "I heard this story on NPR"!
I am extremely down-heartened to hear you have given up faith in such a great show that doesn't just target "young people" but young spirits who crave something different than the same routine shows and the same patterns of stories.
I wish you would give this a chance and I certainly hope you adopt Allison Stewart and all the BPP'ers into your NPR family in body and spirit. Their voices are the voices of many who have not been heard on NPR before.
Sincerely, Megan Shanley

Sent by Megan Shanley | 9:13 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This makes me sad. Is there any hope for public radio? Fair Game with Faith Salie had its plug pulled, now BPP. Are the public radio gods unwilling to give anything time to catch on.

I've been listening faithfully from the early pilots, and it has been a pleasure to listen to the show take shape. It was informative. It was interesting. It was fun. I will miss it.

Even with its rotating cast of hosts, the show always had a wonderful chemistry and conveyed a sense that the people who made it were having fun. Contrast it with The Takeaway, which is just a string of awkward moments connected by interviews.

I hope Alison goes back to TV. NPR doesn't deserve her.

Sent by Owen | 9:15 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is so sad...what am I going to talk about at dinner now? Most of my conversations began with, 'I heard on BPP today...'

This seems like an incredibly short-sided decision on the part of NPR leadership. The show was both entertaining and informative, and seem to do so well with the new media (blog, twitter, etc.) that it actually kept my attention.

Please let us know where you all end up, we'd like to keep following...

Sent by G | 9:16 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is extremely short-sighted of NPR and PBS. BPP was the first piece of original programming they have put on for years. This decision will return to haunt them. It will bite their face off! Good luck, guys. I am sure you will be fine. I am not sure about NPR. P.S. I am an American.

Sent by Dr. D | 9:16 AM ET | 07-14-2008

What terrible news! I've listened to the BPP since day 1. I have to admit, it did take me a few weeks to warm up to the show. But now the show is my primary radio source for news and pop culture updates. I couldn't believe it today when Mike said there were only a few more days...I'm so sad.

Sent by Mary | 9:18 AM ET | 07-14-2008

yes, we learned alot in the 60's and i hope to continue to learn alot "in" the 60's...npr, please don't squelch the creativity and energy of our youth...npr management, please take your prozac, sit down at the big table, chill out, relax, talk amongst yourselves....and please find a more positive solution....where there's a will/pill, there's a way!!! ps. thank you tricia...i learned a new word: penultimate.

Sent by janet | 9:19 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am truely devastated. I listed to the show with my 15 and 16 year olds in the morning. They have become very involved in politics as well as national and world issues as a result of this hip show that speaks to their generation. The delivery is fast-paced which this generation is used to, packed with facts they can share with their friends. I hope there is a way BPP can continue with another sponsor or media.

Sent by Linda Engman | 9:21 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I have tried out many of NPRs podcast shows and this is the only one that I actually listen to. Very sad.

Sent by Chris in Chicago | 9:23 AM ET | 07-14-2008

OH NO! I'm SO sad. I had only recently discovered BPP (our NPR station doesn't carry it) and was busy telling EVERYONE I knew about the smart, interesting, funny, exciting new show for 'my generation' on NPR. I wanted to participate in the Book Club and was planning on listening to podcasts on my way to work. I'm so sad. I don't think they gave the project enough time to reach their audience. I wish they would reconsider. This program really spoke to me.

Sent by Line | 9:23 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Even West Virginians listen to BPP! Appalacian radio reception is so uneven that we started listening to NPR online. BPP quickly became a big favorite.... can we keep it, please?

Sent by Mary Moore McLaughlin | 9:25 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is a huge step backwards. I'm a 19 year old college student and was never a regular NPR listener until I discovered the BPP. I listened to the show every day recommended it to my friends and family. Taking this show off the air is both an enormous disappointment and a mistake.

Sent by Eric Cournoyer | 9:25 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am so sorry to hear this; I have enjoyed the show so much and have been telling everyone about the BPP. It could have been a success if given the chance. I am really going to miss it.

Sent by Jenny | 9:27 AM ET | 07-14-2008

My new day dream:

"From APR in New York, this is the Bryant Park Project."

Heck, they wouldn't even have to change the logo that much.

Sent by Dave Wiley | 9:28 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I don't know how I will start my day. Bryant Park Project was a refreshing change from the stodginess of Morning Edition. The BPP covered subjects of relevance to my world and I will miss it greatly.

Sent by JJ Bauer | 9:32 AM ET | 07-14-2008

bpp was the first daily news program that i thought was doing things right - i told everyone i knew about it. what a ridiculous decision to be canceled, what the hell i'm i supposed to listen to in the morning now?!? thanks for the effort bpp...

Sent by michael surtees | 9:38 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Sent by michael surtees | 9:39 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I'm crushed ... I CAN'T go back to Morning Edition !!! The BPP was the perfect blend of solid news reprting with real personalities and fun. Mike Pesca owned the morning. I eagerly anticipated Pesca and Alison Stewart as co-hosts ... What will I do without 'The Most' and 'The Ramble'?

Sent by Hop | 9:39 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is really sad news. I came late to the party, I just began listening to the BPP about a month ago (on Sirrius) and I became a huge fan. The show was different, new, exciting and in a weird way optimistic. We live in an increasingly difficult time and a confused landscape, the BPP was helping me start my day a little smarter, a little funnier, it will be sorely missed. And NPR will miss me, I'm a young, socially concious business executive and have felt myself slipping away from NPR over the last couple of years. So sorry to see BPP go.

Sent by joe | 9:39 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am astounded! This is one of the best programs on NPR! Maybe the problem is that it is too good - it is too entertaining while being informative - Maybe there is some twisted "must suffer to be good" thinking going on here - "these people are having too much fun" - "they are getting too much enjoyment out of an NPR show - this must stop" - It is funny - I have often thought that if BBP went over-the-air in major markets, it would be a huge hit ... and I wonder if it got hit with the "kill it before it succeeds" mentality at NPR.

Sent by Jon | 9:39 AM ET | 07-14-2008

When we got our new car, it came with Sirius radio. I quickly became addicted to the BPP on my morning commute. It's the first show I listened to in its entirety and I'll really miss it. It's the only radio show that has ever held my attention long enough to make me sit in my car at work and risk the wrath of my boss for coming in late! Good luck to you all, you're very talented and I look forward to following y'all wherever you go!
PS. I was also interviewed by Alison for a movie review some time ago, via my twittering, and it's an experience I'll always brag about!

Sent by wareagle | 9:40 AM ET | 07-14-2008

WHAT!%&*#$%%****!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!

Sent by Kerstin | 9:41 AM ET | 07-14-2008

As someone suggested here, maybe they should emulate the online fundraising of "This American Life" to directly support the show.

I think its worth a try to save this wonderful and worthwhile show.

Sent by Stephen | 9:42 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am so sad. I am hooked on BPP. It is a such a clever show. I have told so many people about it. I think if it had more time it would have really taken off.

Sent by lia | 9:42 AM ET | 07-14-2008

If so many listeners are shocked and disappointed at the apparent "failure" of the BPP, how can NPR justify its cancellation? This is a great program for a new generation of public radio listeners. It's ashame that NPR cannot recognize that.

Sent by hayley | 9:43 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I have to admit that it took me a bit of time to get used to BPP. But I just turned 53 and an adjustment period is to be expected.

Now I love listening to it on Sirius in the morning and the other NPR programming seems so stodgy in comparison.

My interpretation of the Times article is that it was short-sighted NPR administration politics that killed BPP. The new regime did not want to nourish someone else's baby. They want the money to do THEIR own thing.

Pure idiocy. NPR is going to wither and die if it does not develop a new audience. BPP was doing that.

When I got Sirius in my car I stopped listeing to NPR. BPP brought me back. I would be delighted to be part of a viral campaign to keep BPP going. We have more tools at our disposal to create buzz than ever before. NPR give us some hope that BPP could be saved and we will bring you the audience numbers you want. Just give us the chance.

John

Sent by JohnFred | 9:44 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I'm so heartbroken to hear this news! I'm a 35 year old programmer who listens every day at work via npr.org and I absolutely love it. BPP is refreshing and a good change of pace from other NPR programs. I do tune into Fresh Air and Morning Edition while driving sometimes, but BPP is my morning addiction that gets me through work. There is nothing else that I consistently listen to at NPR and I suppose I'll have to find something elsewhere to fill this same niche. :'( :'( :'(

Sent by Kathy Fisher | 9:45 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Just what in the hell is wrong with NPR?! I agree with previous commentators about figuring out a way to make direct payments to certain programs, rather than stations that don't even carry the programs I want to hear. Yes, I'll listen to Morning Edition in the car, and anything else that comes on... when I'm in my car, but when I have a choice on my computer I go straight to programs like Bryant Park... and would continue to do so in my car if given the option. And now, NPR takes this away from me. Yeah, I understand you have a budget crunch NPR, but you're also throwing away future benefits with this decision. I'll listen until you're off the air (so to speak) BPP.

Sent by Mark Krawczyk | 9:47 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is incredibly frustrating. You would think that the folks at NPR would try and attempt some sort of rescue operation first. Fund drive, etc. I would be willing to kick down the cash if I knew it would be going to keeping the BPP on air. I already contribute to my local NPR station - which has the crappiest morning show host EVER. I even renewed my subscription to Sirius JUST so I could listen to BPP on my commute.

The entire media seems based upon the adage, "If at first you don't succeed (wildly), we cancel you."

Badly done, NPR, badly done.

Sent by Tara Hacker | 9:48 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I only learned of the BPP via the NYT article. I've never listened to the show, but from the comments it appears to be a greaty show. Hate that I won't have the opportunity to become a fan.

Sent by Tiffany | 9:50 AM ET | 07-14-2008

you have got to be kidding me! Im a 22 year old college student and this is the one program i tune into on-line from NPR that i like. the BPP is a grate program and i just dont get why there canceling something that reaches out to a demographic that is younger than 60. For shame NPR for Shame.

Sent by Michael Sepenoski | 9:53 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Now that I've had time to think more clearly than my 6am foggy brain, I realize I was expecting the BPP to be around a lot longer. As such, I have a big favor and I'll ask again some other time next week since I'm sure no one will end up reading all of these blog posts (except Laura).

I was planning on having my speech kids listen to the BPP this fall. Those who will be doing Radio Broadcasting for Iowa High School Speech Association compete to go to All State and I tried to have them listen to All Things Considered and Morning Edition for good radio techniques and transitions last fall but they just got glassy eyed and zoned out.

What I'm looking for is a podcast or just a copy of a BPP "episode" with 2 hosts (any combination of Alison, Rachel, or Mike is fine). These kids have no idea that a good radio show amied at a younger audience doesn't need to include yelling or toilet flush noises.

Twitter me (@faerirose) or reply here if you can help and I'll set something up with Megaupload or Sendspace. Thanks tons.

Sent by Sarah Lee | 9:53 AM ET | 07-14-2008

If only I were a millionaire instead of a 23 year old with student loans! This program means a lot to me and if I could I'd gladly donate a fortune to save the BPP. Someday, BPP... someday.

Sent by (Still Sad) Carey | 9:53 AM ET | 07-14-2008

No! This was such a great program. No other show (on radio or TV) counts as fans this 46 year old, boring mom & my 16-year old, very hip daughter. This is a sad day for NPR!

Sent by Middleclass Mom | 9:55 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Booooo!!! This is the first NRP show I have listened to consistently and enjoyed! I grew up listening to morning edition and all things considered via mom and dad but I haven't listened to them on a regular basis in years. This program does speak to my generation and it doesn't make me want to take a nap!!! What will keep me distracted at work now???

Sent by Drew | 9:56 AM ET | 07-14-2008

What a loss. I really enjoyed this alternative to the regular NPR morning programming - in fact, I listed this morning on my drive to work.

Sent by Loretta Donovan | 9:59 AM ET | 07-14-2008

*sigh* seriously? I have been listening since Oct of last year, and yes online almost exclusively - But that's because it's not carried on my local NPR affiliate. If it was i might actually listen to the station more often.
as a side note: i've gotten used to Mike. but i definitely miss Luke, Rachel and Alison.
if there's a way to save it let us know! if not, best wishes to all of you.

Sent by Eli | 9:59 AM ET | 07-14-2008

You know, the real tragedy is that this was my best means of introducing public radio to my fellow 20-somethings, a demographic with potential to sustain the medium for decades to come. By cutting back on the Bryant Park Project in its infancy, NPR has severed their most successful gateway to considerable future financial support. As much as I can appreciate the pressure of an economic downturn, killing the goose that will lay the golden eggs is always a mistake. *sigh* Well, I guess there's always PRI.

Sent by Cheshire | 9:59 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Noooooooo . . . I was just getting excited about the BPP Book Club!! This news is not a good sign for this week.

Sent by eliz.s. (@elizs) | 10:00 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Could I encourage those of you with blogs to write about the pending loss of "our" BPP? Calling is great, but writing about this to the larger online wourld, the world to which BPP was largely playing, is maybe a better way to get the message across to NPR that tailoring their programming to those with retirement in their near future is seriously not the way to go.

And don't forget Twitter - it's super-easy to sign up & "tweet" about our loss. Use those 140 characters per tweet wisely!

Sent by Cheri Campbell | 10:02 AM ET | 07-14-2008

In the short few months I've been at my first job out of college I have come to find my daily dose of the BPP to be a welcome respite to the nagging of customers and a form of enlightenment unparalleled by the other NPR shows. I may love programs like Fresh Air and All Things Considered and listen loyally to them, but it the BPP that truly nourishes my hunger for all things topical in a compelling, mature, yet unpretentious manner. I admit it - I'm not the biggest financial giver. I adore NPR and get nearly all my news from it, but as a recent college grad (target demographic anyone?) I have little money to spare to donate to my local NPR station. That being said, though, there are three shows that I have in the past and would in the future, if given the opportunity, donate to to keep around: This American Life, Radio Lab, and my daily favorite the BPP. Please, give us the opportunity to keep the BPP around! I, and I'm sure many others post-college debt holders, will dig into our pockets for this brilliant show.

Sent by Kendra | 10:02 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I'm so incredibly disappointed over this news. This has been the ONLY morning program I've ever listened to.
I never miss it- I've come to really enjoy all of the cast. I love the way the news is presented. There will be a void in my mornings. I guess I'm not the audience NPR wanted since I'm pushing 60. Thank you all for making my mornings so much more enjoyable.
Carol

Sent by Carol | 10:02 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I live in Northern Virginia near Washington, DC and have been listening to the BPP daily on my Sirius satellite radio in my car. Stumbling upon the show last winter was like being a kid again in a candy shop. I'm a 41 year old working mother of two school-aged boys. I guess I don't fit the young demographic NPR was trying to reach, but the BPP had become a big bright spot in my daily grind of driving the kids to school and going to work. Even my 11-year old son enjoyed listening and it gave us topics to discuss together. How can I live without The Most, the Ramble and all the great in-depth stories about things I might never know about otherwise? I don't understand why NPR doesn't give the show more time. If someone asked me to donate money directly to the show, I absolutely would. Where is my checkbook? Oh wait...no one asked.

Sent by sad mama | 10:03 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I discovered the BPP by accident one day while looking for Morning Edition. I've been hooked ever since. Even though I'm almost 44 and perhaps slightly out of BPP's target demographic, I've always felt right at home as a listener and welcome the perspective this generation brings to my AM commute. Thank you BPP, you will be missed :(

Sent by Liz P. | 10:03 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am another ex-pat from Norway who has really welcomed this program's internet presence. As I first listened to it I was surprised by its informal tone and wondered if it would get "tired". But after a couple of weeks I could not live with hearing "The Most" or "The Ramble" to bring a daily smile to my face. The program has taught me much and I will sorely miss it. Kudos to everyone working on the show for making it so great!

Sent by Erling Mork | 10:05 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I was so disappointed when I heard the news this morning that I actually got a little teary-eyed! The BPP is an important part of my day. I only discovered it a couple of months ago and thoroughly enjoy listening each morning on my way to work. It is informative, entertaining, and relatable. I love the content: some important issues, some trivial, but all of it interesting. More than that though, I really enjoy the people who make the show so smart and entertaining. I talk about the show constantly with my friends and family, and the program got me to add NPR to my radio pre-set - something that I would never have predicted! I don't know yet if the station will stay on my dial. I am really unhappy with this decision.

Sent by Joan | 10:07 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Sad day. I've only recently started listening to the BPP but is has quickly become my favorite programming, my mornings will be not be the same with out you guys!

Sent by Rene | 10:09 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is a poor choice on NPR's part.

Sent by mcr | 10:09 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am a new yet loyal follower of the BPP. It provides a fresh, candid and varied coverage that is unique to radio today. I really hope this program can somehow continue!

Sent by Rebecca Emmanuel | 10:09 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I'm a 57 yo white male - not exactly the BPP's target demographic and an NPR junkie. I listen to the two Sirius stations and my local stations in NYC but BPP had become my first stop each day as I sit down at the computer to work. What a foolish move! I thought NPR was looking to encourage multi platform delivery.

Sent by Larry E | 10:09 AM ET | 07-14-2008

NPR, BPP is an excellent program that brings me to your station in the morning. Now I'll probably have to keep it on the sports stations as many of your other programs are stale and dry compared to BPP.

Sent by Phil | 10:09 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Before the show goes off the air, can Mike Pesca PLEASE do his "Ramble Rap" one more time?

Sent by Dan M. | 10:10 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am very disappointed in NPR. This decision does not make sense when viewed in the long term scheme. Younger listeners (to use the cliche) are the future; Internet/Satellite radio is the future. The show is informative, interesting, and offers a FRESH, unique perspective! Thanks for the tease, NPR. Long live BPP!

Sent by tarah | 10:11 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Please don't take this show off the air! This is a great show. I urge NPR: give this show more time.

Sent by eliboone | 10:11 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Great show that I stream every day at work.

Hopefully NPR will reconsider... maybe another show about corn recipes or how to plan your retirement would do better...

Mike Peska is an amazing talent. What a drag to miss this in the morning - I will have to switch to the Daily Show, I guess.

Sent by Rich | 10:12 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am extremely disappointed with NPR and their decision to cancel The Bryant Park Project. I am 57 yrs old and listen to the BPP during my morning commute. This telecast via Sirius Radio has been the most refreshing of all the radio news telecasts available. the staff have been engaging, informative and entertaining.

Sent by Foster Atteberry | 10:12 AM ET | 07-14-2008

No!!! I just found you guys!!! This is utterly crushing!!! NPR why??? Why???

Sent by Teresa | 10:12 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Very sad and a stupid move.
Your team has proven to draw a substantial audience, why not start a privately-funded project and do away with the NPR bureaucracy that obviously hasn't helped.

Sent by Michael | 10:13 AM ET | 07-14-2008

How predictable... Finally, a radio news program that speaks to a younger generation and the older generation that's driving the NPR bus is too short-sighted to keep it on the air. Who do you think is going to be sponsoring public radio programming in the future. If you don't support and build a listener base from the under 50 set, you won't have anyone to support you down the road. This is a lost opportunity and a very sad day for those of us who were drawn to NPR and public radio because of the Bryant Park Project.

Sent by Tracy | 10:13 AM ET | 07-14-2008

NPR really dropped the ball on this one. It's weird to say but I saw myself growing old with this show. It definitely has the potential to be a bread winner for NPR.
NPR, PLEASE RECONSIDER.
My mornings won't be the same
The BPP must go on!

Sent by Kubovcik | 10:13 AM ET | 07-14-2008

THIS IS SO SAD. What about all those feet floating in the ocean? Who will tell us who they belong to and why they are there? We regulars care. Who will make us so happy? I love you all.

Sent by shc | 10:14 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am devastated!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My mornings will be so empty without you BPP!

Sent by Sabrina Moreta | 10:17 AM ET | 07-14-2008

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Sent by sparky the incredible exploding boy | 10:17 AM ET | 07-14-2008

THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!
For the time you were with us. I sat down every evening with you in China to hear the voices of home. I found a family in the Bryant Park.

Thanks again for what you have given us in your short time. I have a sneaky suspicion we will all be together again!

Sent by Ian from CHINA | 10:17 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This really, really sucks. Bad decision, NPR. BPP folks, I will miss you all so much. The show is wonderful, unique, and irreplaceable in my life.

Sent by Cinder Conlon | 10:18 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I only discovered the BPP a couple about a week ago online and it has, since then, been the only thing that saved me from a morning of drudgery at work and even made me laugh out loud. I am so sad as I just recommended the show to my husband and friends. If NPR wants to attract a younger audience who wants to talk about real issues but still have a sense of humor, why tease us and then decide it wasn't worth it after all? Big mistake. I wish the staff from the BPP the best- God bless.

Sent by Alysa - Atlanta, GA | 10:19 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Well I guess it's time to listen to old people again.

Sent by Brian Parks | 10:19 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Are you kidding? I listen the the BPP EVERY DAY.
Sure, there are bits I like more than others, but what will replace the BPP when it goes off air? I can't listen the Morning Edition repeatedly. It's good, but it's not long enough or fresh enough the second time around, to keep me interested.
The BPP is my primary source of news that's not entirely depressing. I'm 25 and there's not much out there for someone like me, who's not blown away by Hollywood, who couldn't care less who's got a baby bump this week, and who wants REAL music and entertainment along with her news. Sad. Really.

Sent by Kristen | 10:19 AM ET | 07-14-2008

What a stupid move by NPR. They will lose more than a show, they will lose a great nucleus of people that made the show as well as a new audience for their programming. Clearly there is a problem with NPRs business model if it cannot justify programming like this, especially in light of some of the much weaker shows they produce.

Sent by William Rice | 10:20 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I don't believe it. I am so sad. This is the first podcast i listen to everyday.

Sent by lisa | 10:21 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is so sad to me. As a 21 year old who deeply adores the BPP, and would tell other "youngsters" of my newfound love, I would hardly call it a failure. BPP will be missed by many, and I can only hope that this would not discourage NPR/PBS to trying something like this again in the (near) future.

Sent by Shannon Gonzalez | 10:23 AM ET | 07-14-2008

NO!!!

This is so sad. I loved the BPP and the pace and tone of the show. It was a breath of fresh air for NPR (which I love, don't get me wrong) and I grew to really enjoy listening to this quirky cast of characters broadcasting the news and culture. Even if I didn't have work, I'd listen to the BPP so I could keep informed.

This breaks my heart, and I am so sorry for all of the staff and listeners out there. Your talents will be missed.

Sent by Sarah | 10:24 AM ET | 07-14-2008

So unacceptable! BPP is my favorite NPR show, a part of my weekday morning routine, a way to get through the AM commute and start my day with a smart laugh. This is a terribly short-sighted move on the part of NPR mgmt. When the old timers fade away, you're going to need a new audience, exactly the one being cultivated by the style & content of BPP. Get some foresight, please!

Sent by S. N. Walton | 10:24 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am seriously bummed. The show is genius. Sadly, our capitalist system gobbles up yet another piece of creative and "good" work for the sake of another dollar. As of the 25th of July, NPR has lost a morning listener. I will go in search of another piece of AM brilliance!

Sent by Jason | 10:25 AM ET | 07-14-2008

quick follow up....the number for npr ombudsman is 202-513-3245...you can leave a recorded message.

Sent by janet | 10:25 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Few programs have made me think about the world and people around me as much as the Bryant Park Project. For NPR to cancel this wonderful program I can only imagine that they actually prefer not to think at all!

Sent by Angie Griffin | 10:25 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Sadness!

I will miss BPP tons!!!

Sent by eleanor | 10:29 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Mike Pesca and company! Please march yourselves over to the offices of Public Radio International and pitch a new show.

Sent by Edward Noodleson | 10:29 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I can't believe this. NPR, please change your mind. I continued my Sirius car radio subscription so I could listen to this program. I'm 55 and outside of the demographic for this program, but I want you to know that it's reaching a broad audience.

Sent by Margaret Sherald | 10:29 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I'm a 20 year old listener from Norfolk, Nebraska and have only recently found the BPP. I'm devastated that my now portal to the rest of the nation and world is being closed off. I wish the best of luck to everyone at the BPP in their future endeavors and everyone that listened with me. I hope all of us find each other again someday, within a forum as great as this one.

Sent by Elizabeth Ann | 10:30 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I hope this one little comment adds to the petition to keep BPP alive. Where else can I get the hard news I need without feeling like I'm taking my daily vitamin and fiber supplement?

Sent by Jeff | 10:30 AM ET | 07-14-2008

They didn't even give it a year. Lame.

Sent by Jonathan | 10:38 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is disappointing. Do you think if we got the story up to Most Emailed on NPRs website then the bigwigs would take notice that people want the show to live?

Sent by Joe | 10:38 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This announcement makes me very, very angry. I've been drifting away from NPR for years now, because it's little more than a hospice for boomers to stay stuck in the 60s. I started listening to the BPP on Sirius shortly after the show began, and quickly became an addict. I'm going to miss the BPP and I think WABE is going to miss my pledge this year. I can think of no other way to get the attention of NPR than to not give them money.

Sent by Sleestax | 10:40 AM ET | 07-14-2008

shall i just give up on NPR in general? Being a member of the 'target demographic' that BPP aimed for, I am severely disappointed by this decision to cut this program. I guess i'll have to find another station to listen to from now on.

Sent by drew | 10:40 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Great, just great. NPR will continue to navel gaze it's way into mediocrity and stop developing new and creative media sources.

Sent by Nick G. | 10:41 AM ET | 07-14-2008

To add my two cents. This sucks. I just got hooked on the podcast. I would definitely contribute, if there was a way to target my contributions to this show.

As an avid listener to npr podcasts, I already listen to hours each week. But as soon as I started listening to BPP, it quickly became the only show as part of my daily routine.

I was skeptical when I heard about NPR's efforts to innovate and target a "yougner" demographic. But was impressed that BPP actually succeeded.

Sad to see it go.

Sent by Ben | 10:42 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I don't know what the politics are but it is clear to me that since Alison left, the show has fallen off (in my opinion.) Pesca is narrow minded, dismissive and mean spirited. He brings a tone to the show that belongs on a network like Fox. Nowhere is this more clear than in his insistent and perpetual emphasis on sports. Alison created a tone that was refreshingly irreverent but never mean spirited or sanctimonious. The real freshness came from her and the likes of Ian C. Pesca drove the truck into a ditch. Too bad npr doesn't have the leadership skills to avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Sorry guys.

Sent by Don | 10:44 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is outrageous. For the past few months I've been telling everyone I know about the BPP. People my age (young professional, early 20's) to people my father's age. They all love it too! Morning Edition is too stuffy and straight laced. The BPP is a great show, and the way the personalities interact works so well. I am extremely disappointed in NPR for giving up on this show. Pesca is a great host, adn I was hoping he would stick around when Allison Stewart came back. Somebody let us know who we need to talk to about keeping the show on the air. Long live the BPP!

Sent by Jeremy | 10:44 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is too depressing for words. BPP is a creative, informative, and entertaining news source. I look forward to listening to it at work every morning from my computer - it really helps me to shake the cobwebs off my brain first thing in the morning. I understand budget cuts, but this doesn't seem to be a wise decision when NPR is trying to lure the BPP's demographic (of which I am one- 30, college-educated). There has to be another way to save money AND the BPP! Thanks, BPP, for reporting on issues that are not considered to be newsworthy to the mainstream media (and for making me chuckle on a daily basis!). You will be missed!!!

Sent by charly | 10:45 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Keep BPP, get rid of that boring
"Day to Day" show. The format of BPP has a more creative approach, Day to Day is same old, same old news reporting.
You finally get a chance to engage people in world news and now that you've
drawn them in you shut the door. Not
logical at all.

Sent by M.A. Lewis | 10:47 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am so sad! I have never listened to public radio before I found the BBP. I am 25 years old and this show as shown me how lovely radio can be. The Ramble, The Most, The show as a whole.. the book club, I could just keep gong on. I will be lost in the world. Walking in circles. Please don't go!

Sent by Tina Leatherby | 10:48 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I have come to enjoy the show and all of the hosts/contributors. I will really miss it! This is a very sad day indeed! Were will I get ....The MOST!

Sent by Ben Law | 10:48 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I am an avid NPR listener and only recently discovered BPP through the main NPR website. I've spent the last few months telling my fellow twenty-something friends about this show and I am not looking forward to explaining why they missed-out on a great program. In the words of my generation, this is a bummer.

Sent by amber | 10:48 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Sorry to hear the bad news. I have this idea called Representative Journalism. People pay directly for journalism they want. $ 2 million. Would there be 20,000 listeners across the nation willing to pay $100 each annually for the Bryant Park Project? Divide that by 50 states that comes out to 400 per state. Presumably there are that many folks in each state who are not regular contributors who would be willing to pay for this new programming. Of course, too often the folks at local stations want to protect turf at the expense of expanding their turf. BPP is turf expansion for a health NPR future. Any how see RepresentativeJournalism.org for more information and my post at PJNet.org about this NPR mistake. "NPR Cancels $2-Million Experiment -- Are They Kidding?" http://pjnet.org/post/1827/

Sent by Leonard Witt | 10:49 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I'm a younger listener that found it hard to digest the regular NPR newscast and the like. Unlike the normal NPR newscast, the BPP seems to make my hangovers much more bearable. I've also been using BPP topics as conversation starters at the bars I frequent. My increased knowledge of a diverse range of news gave me confidence to talk with much more classy type ladies. I don't know what I'll do now...maybe read the paper...nah, probably lower my standards. Anyway, too bad they're pulling the plug...I've really enjoyed the show and have been a firm listener.

Sent by Cameron | 10:50 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Hey BPP Team, you should all band together and bring the show somewhere else just like Alison brought the Most from her previous show.

NPR is making a mistake and you guys are awesome!

Sent by Seymour Glass | 10:51 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This sucks! The BPP was the first thing I listened to (online) each day. Although I enjoy other NPR programs like Fresh Air and All Thing Considered, BPP was by far my favorite. As a 28 year old professional, I felt that it was the only show that was really geared toward my demo. Furthermore, I think it's really short-sighted for NPR to cancel the show after such a short run.
Thanks for all the laughs and info. Best of luck and take care, BPP Crew!

Sent by tim campbell | 10:55 AM ET | 07-14-2008

i work at a PBS/NPR station as well. We don't carry BPP either so I listen to the podcast.

The NYT excerpt called the BPP "an expensive failure". That's harsh and inaccurate! The show is a success, the decision a failure.

Sent by lisa | 10:56 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Really?

Really??

Come on. Really? I'm in the young demographic and absolutely loved BPP. I listened to it twice a day at least. The news was interesting and fresh, and the announcers sounded like they wanted to be there.

If NPR wants any kind of future, they'll have to do something to beef up their other shows and make them as good as the BPP. Otherwise, many of us won't be tuning in and won't be shellin' out the donations.

I always knew it would end. It was all too good to be true.

Sent by Amy D | 10:57 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I cannot tell you how disappointed I am. This makes no sense to me...

Sent by Chris | 10:57 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I love the BPP. I will truly be sad to see this amazing show be done :(
Can this be an April fools joke?

Sent by Kristel | 10:58 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This really sucks. I am one of the listeners who actually started using the NPR website after learning about BPP, and I listen to every show! I also forward stuff from it onto my friends and family, who always seem to enjoy the weird news items and events.

I agree with everyone who thinks this is a short sighted decision on the part of NPR. You people aren't going to keep listeners my age if you can't compete on the internet. There's too much out there for NPR to stay relevant unless they make the effort.

It's just a shame that this has been necessitated by federal budget woes. As a national service employee I feel y'alls pain. This is why you vote for candidates with a history of supporting public broadcasting!

Sent by Dissapointed VISTA | 10:58 AM ET | 07-14-2008

This is absurd... While I enjoy the majority of NPR programming the BPP is a staple of my morning routine. Your show is in large part the mortar which maintains my sanity as a young professional cubicle-jockey. The talking heads behind this decision at NPR have officially convinced me that their heads are permanently and forcibly entombed in their own rear-ends. I am baffled that in a radio network which stands by 5 carbon copy radio news programmes (Morning Edition, All Things, Considered, Day to Day, Fresh Air, & Talk of the Nation) that NPR's one beacon of newsworthy politics, entertainment, and all things delightfully irrelevant would be cast by the wayside. To the staff of the BPP: Good luck in all your endeavours, it has been a true pleasure. To the short sighted fossils behind this decision: I hope you've thought through a life of journalistic irrelevance and obscurity; you don't deserve a show of this calibre.

Sent by Micah J. Briehl | 10:59 AM ET | 07-14-2008

NOOOOOOO!!!!! Say it isn't so. I love you guys. I listen online at work everyday and it makes those two hours fly by. I'm moving to NYC from VA in a few weeks and your show helped me feel like I had a little part of NYC in my everyday down south. Thanks for your creativity and great reporting!!!!

Sent by Katie | 11:02 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I guess the show was just too interesting in what has become a morass of boring goo on NPR.
This show had finally re-ignited my interest in public radio.

phfffft

Sent by Paul | 11:03 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Wow... I never thought of NPR as "out of touch" until today. What a poor decision.

Sent by Chris | 11:06 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Hoo boy. I loved this show for what it represented -- namely, an NPR program that could talk about the contemporary music scene without once using the term "rap singer." An NPR program that could embrace a band like Death Cab while tweaking them for their emo self-seriousness. An NPR program that could talk about comics without feeling called upon to add "POW! ZAP" to the on-air copy.

In other words: an NPR program that got it.

Sigh. We now return you to yet another ATC feature on Tibetan throat-singing, already in progress.

Sent by Glen | 11:07 AM ET | 07-14-2008

BPP was the best weekday show NPR ever produced for people under the age of 50. I am sad to see to go. I have to agree with everyone's sentiment that this is a bad decision on NPR's Part. I wish