American Public Media, New York Public Radio To Launch 'Freakonomics Radio'

Best-selling "Freakonomics" and "Super Freakonomics" co-author STEPHEN J. DUBNER has inked a deal with AMERICAN PUBLIC MEDIA and NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO, owner of noncommercial News-Talk WNYC-A and WNYC-F and Classical WQXR/NEW YORK, to launch "FREAKONOMICS RADIO."  The project will include a biweekly feature on APM's "MARKETPLACE" which will also be offered as a podcast, plus five hour-long specials over the next year.

DUBNER and co-author STEVEN LEVITT, an economics professor at the UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, will continue their joint "Freakonomics" blog on unusual and/or contrarian economic theories on the NEW YORK TIMES website, and LEVITT will appear as an occasional guest on the radio project.  DUBNER has been hosting an occasional "Freakonomics" podcast over the past year.

"My favorite part of writing has always been interviewing people," said DUBNER. "And now I get to do a lot more of it. I've loved radio ever since I was a kid, and I particularly love public radio for its smarts and reach. APM and WNYC represent the very best of public radio, and I'm thrilled to be working with them."

"FREAKONOMICS RADIO is a great addition to the portfolio of WNYC productions," said NYPR Chief Content Officer/SVP DEAN CAPPELLO. "STEPHEN's approach to such a timely and urgent topic joins RADIOLAB, ON THE MEDIA, STUDIO 360, and THE TAKEAWAY in bringing audiences smart and provocative ideas in a high-personality form. We're thrilled to be collaborating with him and the MARKETPLACE team to extend his work to public radio and podcast audiences."

"STEPHEN’s engaging take on the surprising truths behind everyday economic issues is a natural fit with the insightful approach Marketplace takes with business news," said APM National Content Division SVP JUDY MCALPINE. "Nine million listeners turn to MARKETPLACE programming each week for its practical perspective on what the news means for them. We're very excited to add FREAKONOMICS RADIO to the MARKETPLACE/APM franchise, and look forward to a fruitful partnership with WNYC."

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