Program areas at NPR
Content production and distribution:this program category contains expenses incurred by NPR's news and information, programming, NPR music, and engineering divisions. NPR is an internationally recognized producer and distributor of news, digital media, programming, and an industry leader in sound gathering and audio production. During the tax reporting period, NPR's broadcast programming reached a weekly audience of 21.7 million people. About 98.5% of the u.s. population is within the listening area of one or more stations that carry NPR programming. NPR produces and/or distributes 23 news, talk, music, and entertainment broadcast programs, and 26 podcast-only programs (approximately 8 million average unique weekly users of npr-produced podcast programs). As NPR apps began unification into a single app, NPR saw weekly usage of 1.5 million users. Additionally, NPR programming is heard on satellite Radio, hd Radio, itunes Radio, on member station web streams, and internationally. NPR also broadcasts its programming to the u.s. military and their families through the armed forces Radio network and other international services. Some programs produced and/or distributed by NPR include: morning edition, weekend edition, all things considered, weekend all things considered, fresh air, the ted Radio hour, 1a, wait wait...don't tell me!, here & now, book of the day, code switch, it's been a minute, storycorps, planet money, life kit, up first, and NPR newscasts 24 hours a day.
Satellite interconnection and distribution:this program category contains expenses incurred by NPR's distribution/interconnection division ("distribution"). During the tax reporting period, distribution continued to operate and manage the Public Radio satellite system ("prss") which is a combined satellite and internet content distribution service for Public Radio programming and related digital content. The prss is available to all Public Radio stations, regardless of size, income, organization, or programming affiliation. Prss' Public Radio and other clients support the prss through fees for services. The prss distributes NPR's content, as well as content from producing stations and other independent Radio producers. NPR distribution also receives federal funding via the corporation for Public broadcasting for support and improvement of the prss.
Digital, content support, and other:this program category contains expenses incurred by NPR's digital, content support, and member partnerships divisions. During the tax reporting period, digital expanded NPR's Public service by offering NPR content free of charge on the web, mobile devices, through distribution partnerships with third-party platforms, and on other emerging digital channels. Digital also began the unification of NPR's apps into a single app. NPR's content, which reached approximately 42 million users weekly, includes real time news reports, live audio streams, live video streams, on-demand video segments, archival audio spanning more than a decade, original text stories and photos, commentary, and other content exclusive to the internet which provides additional insight in NPR's broadcast programs. NPR's content support teams perform critical activities for all content divisions including, but not limited to: creating, maintaining, and deploying equipment and personal security packages to traveling domestic and international reporters; booking travel for reporters deploying for routine and breaking news stories; purchasing equipment for content staff; supporting reporters who are in the field; conducting research in support of news stories and programming; training; content production software support; and international bureau support.npr's member partnership team provides invaluable support to NPR's 248 noncommercial licensee members which operate a network of 1,057 of associated Public Radio stations nationwide. When non-member Public Radio licensees and their associated stations are combined with member stations, 1,080 Public Radio stations broadcast npr-licensed programming. NPR's members include not only long-established, highly regarded educational institutions, including many of the top Public and private colleges and universities, but also some of the largest, most influential station-based Public media organizations in the u.s. NPR's organizational, programmatic, and financial strength derives in significant measure from the strength of members and the whole NPR network. NPR services and collaborates with member stations in newsgathering and reporting, program development, cultural events, community engagement, fundraising, Radio and digital distribution, and representation on issues critical to Public Radio.