August 1, 2014

The Final Broadcast of NPR's 'Tell Me More' with Michel Martin

From NPR -- "After seven years, NPR's Tell Me More is going off the air on Friday. The show has focused on issues of particular — though by no means exclusive — concern to African Americans and other people of color. Host Michel Martin made it a point to interview not just newsmakers and policy analysts but everyday people who shared both their stories and perspective on matters ranging from poverty to parenting."--

The last show was a special live broadcast of the program that aired at various times across the country on local NPR affiliate stations. The final show signals the end of a specific African American issue driven programming on virtually all NPR stations across the country. Although these stations are non-commercial, they do generate very good ratings that appeal to the Whole Foods/Chai Tea Latte Starbucks consumers in many markets. That coupled with the end of the program "News & Notes" that aired on NPR up until 2009; this final broadcast definitely leaves a void. What's obvious is that NPR listeners did not support the show or felt it necessary to send their dollars in during fund drives to keep it on the air. Martin says she will return to other NPR programs in the fall.

Many people may remember her as a correspondent on the ABC news program Nightline with former host Ted Koppel. [Listen] to Michel Martin's final thoughts below.

On behalf of all of us at Tell Me More we give thanks to YOU our fans, listeners and member stations for all your love!! #NPRMichel
— NPRMichel (@NPRMichel) August 1, 2014