ATHENS — After 35 years on the air, the award-winning public radio program To the Best of Our Knowledge is coming to an end. The long-running show will air its final episode on WUGA, 91.7 and 94.5 FM, this week.
The decision follows Wisconsin Public Radio’s move in July to discontinue all of its national productions, citing financial and organizational challenges.
“We’re saddened to say goodbye to these valued colleagues and shows that have been an important part of our recent history,” said Sarah Ashworth, WPR Director. “This is a difficult decision, and WPR must prioritize its capacity to provide what no other media outlet can: unique Wisconsin content from a decidedly Wisconsin point of view.”
The final Athens broadcast will be Tuesday, September 30, at 8 p.m.
Episodes preserved in national archive
Although production of To the Best of our Knowledge is ending, listeners will still have access to the show’s deep catalog.
The program announced that more than 1,150 episodes produced between 2001 and 2025 will be preserved in the American Archive of Public Broadcasting, a joint project of the Library of Congress and Boston-based GBH. Earlier episodes will be added to the collection in the months ahead.
WUGA pivots to more local programming
In response to the cancellation, WUGA is reshaping its own lineup with a stronger emphasis on local content. Beginning October 6, the station will add a Monday night rebroadcast of Athens News Matters at 8 p.m.
“Providing in-depth coverage of local issues and events is at the heart of our mission,” the station said in an announcement. “We hope rebroadcasting Athens News Matters during this time will elevate the show and expose it to audiences who may not be able to catch it during its first-run broadcast.”
The program will continue to be available online at WUGA.org and through Apple and Spotify podcasts.
More chances to hear The Moth
WUGA will also expand access to The Moth the popular storytelling program. Starting October 7, the station will rebroadcast each week’s episode Tuesday nights at 8 p.m., giving listeners two opportunities to tune in.
Change among cutbacks
The change comes as the federal government reduces its funding for public broadcasting. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to take $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which accounts for about four percent of WPR’s budget.
However, station WPR’s financial troubles were looming before the Republican cuts, with the station facing a budget deficit in recent years, the Wisconsin Examiner reports.
WPR itself reported the station raised the prospect of layoffs almost a year ago. There is a plan in the works to merge WPR with the more financially stable PBS Wisconsin.
This article comes to Now Habersham in partnership with WUGA News
