PRX gets “On Being” in shift from American Public Media

On Being, a podcast/broadcast production developed and owned by Krista Tippett Public Productions (KTPP), and hosted by Krista Tippett, will move its distribution home from American Public Media (APM) to the Public Radio Exchange (PRX) on July 1. PRX is the largest market for public radio programming, and owns the Radiotopia podcast project. APM is the distribution arm of Minnesota Public Radio, where On Being established itself.

Acquiring On Being is not the first spotlight move for PRX; in May of 2014 This American Life (another hybrid broadcast/podcast hit) moved from Public Radio International (PRI) to PRX for distribution.

While On Being, an interview program, is KTPP’s best-known product, the production house has also released a new podcast called Becoming Wise, a franchise also spearheaded by a companion book of the same title (published by Penguin), authored by Tippett, and The Civil Conversations Project.

On Being claims 21-million downloads a year, an impressive number that has grown 245% in less than three years. “We’re thrilled to help bring this content and impact to an even wider web of audiences and platforms,” said Kerri Hoffman, Chief Operating Officer of PRX.

Tippett seems to liken PRX’s operational culture to that of her company. “PRX is an entrepreneurial force in independent media, building strong relationships with public radio stations, producers, and diverse audiences. We are excited to pair our public service orientation and institutional nimbleness with theirs,” she said.

Brad Hill