In what some media critics have called an "identity crisis," NPR announced it will not promote its customizable news and programming app, NPR One, on the air, in part to appease the 900-plus member stations that don't appreciate their listeners getting NPR content elsewhere.
NPR sees it as a good business move, as member radio stations make up the bulk of NPR's revenue.
"Its like when we talk of books on air: we mention the title & author, not the bookstore," NPR spokesperson Isabel Lara told the Washingtonian after the announcement.
Others call it professional suicide.
"NPR needs to make money, and yes, member stations are still important, but the company needs to find a balance between those two entities without damaging the brand of one to appease the other," The Verge reported. "Cutting off your nose to spite your face has rarely ever been a shrewd business move."
"NPR cant promote NPR One the lauded, loved app that is basically the future of NPR to what is literally the group of people that would be most interested in it, NPR radio listeners," Nieman Lab reported. "NPR is investing substantially in developing podcasts but it isnt allowed to tell radio listeners where to find them or how they can listen to them."
While it's far from certain whether NPR will suffer from its decision, others, such as media strategist Mark Ramsey, argue that NPR has a leg up in having a popular, one-stop app for its content that will, one day, doubtlessly be independent of local radio. The question is whether they'll make it to that day.
"I wouldnt be surprised if NPR is quietly saying to themselves, give the stations what they want because it will be a win for them and not a lose for us," Ramsey wrote on his blog. "So is NPR crazy? Yes, like a fox."
NPR sees it as a good business move, as member radio stations make up the bulk of NPR's revenue.
"Its like when we talk of books on air: we mention the title & author, not the bookstore," NPR spokesperson Isabel Lara told the Washingtonian after the announcement.
Others call it professional suicide.
"NPR needs to make money, and yes, member stations are still important, but the company needs to find a balance between those two entities without damaging the brand of one to appease the other," The Verge reported. "Cutting off your nose to spite your face has rarely ever been a shrewd business move."
"NPR cant promote NPR One the lauded, loved app that is basically the future of NPR to what is literally the group of people that would be most interested in it, NPR radio listeners," Nieman Lab reported. "NPR is investing substantially in developing podcasts but it isnt allowed to tell radio listeners where to find them or how they can listen to them."
While it's far from certain whether NPR will suffer from its decision, others, such as media strategist Mark Ramsey, argue that NPR has a leg up in having a popular, one-stop app for its content that will, one day, doubtlessly be independent of local radio. The question is whether they'll make it to that day.
"I wouldnt be surprised if NPR is quietly saying to themselves, give the stations what they want because it will be a win for them and not a lose for us," Ramsey wrote on his blog. "So is NPR crazy? Yes, like a fox."
