Update: Changes at WBUR

The following letter from WBUR CEO Margaret Low was shared with staff on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. It has been reproduced with light editing. See related coverage from the WBUR newsroom here.

Dear All,

I'm writing with an important update — the last phase of our plan to significantly reduce WBUR's expenses. As I've shared, we need to begin FY25 with a budget that is $4 million lower than this year. You all understand our financial woes, so I won't belabor those here.

I will begin with the hardest news. We are laying off seven people, including three part-time colleagues. This means valued co-workers are losing their jobs and will leave WBUR before the end of June. We've already spoken to everyone who is immediately affected by these changes.

It's painful to lose longtime colleagues and friends and we'll make time in the weeks ahead to recognize those who will depart. For now, we'll leave it to individuals to share their personal news as they see fit. We're also hopeful that some of those who were notified today will find new opportunities at WBUR. In the meantime, a little later in this note, I will capture some of the changes we'll be making in light of this news.

The Voluntary Program

First, I want to brief you on the status of the Voluntary Program. Twenty-four colleagues have elected to participate. The number of people who raised their hand allowed us to limit the number of layoffs. It also creates opportunity, as we will need to fill some — though not all — of the newly vacant jobs. We will plan to share all jobs as they open up in The Update.

Among those taking the package are four members of the senior leadership team: Pete Matthews, Del Reese, Mike Steffon and Karl Voelker.

This is a significant loss of institutional history. It's worth noting that three of the four have been at WBUR (or Boston University) for more than 25 years. They all saw the Voluntary Program as a rare opportunity to turn the page and do something new. For the time being, Deb Taylor and I will manage the direct reports of these four leaders and take a little time to rethink our organizational structure. Beyond those four colleagues, 20 others raised their hands. But that number won't be firm until Wednesday, May 1 when participants must formally commit to the Voluntary Program.

I won't try to characterize what led people to choose this path — the reasons are many. Everything from being ready to retire to a chance for another chapter. We recognize that the departure of so many colleagues will be a significant change for WBUR and it will take time to absorb it all.

This group's last day will be Friday, May 10 and between now and then, we will work with team leaders to make the transition as smooth as possible. More on this in the days ahead.

Other Expense Reductions

Beyond the Voluntary Program and the layoffs, we will reduce expenses across the board. Most notably, we are eliminating nine unfilled positions, cutting travel costs, spending less or negotiating lower rates on contracted services. A small but not insignificant item — we will no longer buy Peet's Coffee. Thanks to our Business Partnerships team, we now have a trade deal with a local coffee roaster — Fazenda. This will save WBUR thousands of dollars a year. Finally, we will no longer cover cell phone costs for any non-represented colleagues.

As you know, we made the decision to find $4 million in expense savings starting in FY25, because this will put us on a better financial course. FY25 will be another year of deficit spending as we map a path to sustainability. Which we are doing.

It's our belief that $4 million dollars in cost reductions was as much as this organization could bear. Many people advised us to cut deeper than we needed to. We did not do that because we don't think you can cut your way to success. We need the runway — a little more time — to build the resources necessary so WBUR can thrive for decades to come.

Changes to Weeknight and Weekend newscasts

There are some programming implications to the departures, too. Let me try to break it down as simply as I can. Starting sometime before the end of the fiscal year, our last local newscast will be at 8 p.m. every weeknight. In addition to hosting All Things Considered, Lisa Mullins will also anchor the 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. newscasts.

On weekends, Sharon Brody will continue to host Weekend Edition on both Saturday and Sunday. She will also anchor hourly newscasts and local continuity until 3 p.m.

A New Chapter for The Common

After 15 months, and more than 300 original episodes, The Common has become a core dimension of who we are and what we sound like. Thanks to a gifted team, the show is attracting a new, younger and more diverse audience for WBUR.

At the same time, we haven't seen the audience and revenue growth we were hoping for. This is why the next era of The Common will be all about expanding the show's presence on our local air, our digital platforms, in the community, and for Darryl C. Murphy to be an even bigger contributor to Field Guide to Boston.

With all that, we remain enthusiastic about the podcast and its potential. So The Common will become a weekly show, with much the same format and identity — just a different cadence. We plan to make this change sometime before the end of the fiscal year, and we'll work with the team to figure out the right timeline. We'll then focus our resources on building out the show's original reporting on multiple WBUR channels — amplifying Darryl and the show's brand and, as always, bringing the best work of our newsroom right back onto The Common. The team will continue to report to WBUR Podcasts.

Our Path Forward

While we've had to make very difficult decisions in the last few weeks, I'm confident that WBUR has a bright future. In large measure because of our shared commitment to five strategic pillars:

It's paying off. We are the #1 news station in Boston. For 14 months and counting. We have a 6.4 share in a market with two public radio stations. That's double, even triple what some other major market stations can claim.

Our journalism is stronger than ever. Just this week, Walter Wuthmann published a big investigative scoop about police failing to take action against an accused serial rapist, despite DNA evidence pointing to a string of crimes over years before he was finally arrested.

Our listening audience is growing steadily and our digital numbers are on the rise, too — WBUR newsletters and podcasts have legions of loyal fans. Beyond All Repair, Amory Sivertson's 10-part series about an unsolved murder, shot up the Apple Podcast Charts to #2. Ahead of Serial and The Daily. That's extraordinary. CitySpace is buzzing with live events many nights a week. Tomorrow night, Robin Young will be on stage with historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. The event sold out in an instant.

Here & Now and On Point reach millions of people across the country each week. On Point's audience grew by nearly 50% year over year — after many stations across the country added the show.

We're in the midst of a digital transformation — our Catapult Initiative —  modernizing our technology to personalize our relationships with everyone who engages with WBUR. That will roll out in June. Thanks to the smarts and relentless hard work of dozens of future-focused colleagues across the organization.

At the same time, our audience heard our clarion call and gave more generously than they ever have before. There are millions of people in Boston and beyond who count on us and can't imagine a day without WBUR.

Our Comprehensive Capital Campaign is off to an impressive start and every one of our sellers on the Business Partnerships team bleeds WBUR. I believe in them and know they will deliver for us in the months and years ahead.

In Closing

There is so much for all of us to be proud of, but I recognize that this has been a tough period for everyone at WBUR. Change of this magnitude is very hard.

Before I sign off, I want to underscore how thankful I am for all of you. To a person, you have been thoughtful, generous and creative — as we searched for solutions together. You all rallied to help secure WBUR's future and, at the same time, you’ve been looking out for one another. Please continue to do that.

Even in one of our hardest hours, I'm so proud to lead this organization. I have said many times that WBUR is brimming with talent and ambition. We're also an organization filled with really wonderful people. Your collective humanity shines through at every turn.

To those who are leaving, I'm endlessly grateful for the time you've devoted to WBUR. We are better because you were here. You will exit with my profound gratitude and a promise to build on the legacy you leave behind.

To those who are staying — thank you for everything you do to make WBUR such a special place. What unites us is a shared belief in our mission and a deep caring for one another. That is what will allow us to press on and continue to do exceptional work.

With admiration and appreciation,
Margaret Low
Chief Executive Officer
WBUR