Christy Tanner Named C.E.O. of New York Public Radio

Why It Matters

The leadership change positions NYPR to capitalize on recent fundraising momentum and navigate a tightening public‑media funding landscape, potentially reshaping its reach and revenue model.

Key Takeaways

• Christy Tanner becomes NYPR CEO effective Feb 4, 2026.
• Tanner brings CBS News, AP, and digital streaming expertise.
• NYPR exceeded $57.7 M fundraising goal by $4 M.
• Organization seeks national audience growth and financial stability.
• Federal CPB cuts unlikely to hit NYPR due low reliance.

Pulse Analysis

New York Public Radio (NYPR) has long been a cornerstone of the city’s media ecosystem, operating flagship stations WNYC and WQXR, the acclaimed Radiolab podcast, and the Gothamist news site. While many public broadcasters grapple with dwindling federal support, NYPR’s modest reliance on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—about 4 percent of its budget—has insulated it from the recent $500 million cut. This financial cushion, combined with a robust listener‑donor surge that pushed its fiscal‑year fundraising to $61.7 million, sets a solid foundation for strategic growth.

Christy Tanner’s appointment signals a decisive shift toward digital‑first thinking. At CBS, she expanded the network’s streaming platform and modernized its digital business, experiences directly relevant to NYPR’s multi‑platform content strategy. Her tenure at TV Guide Digital, culminating in a successful sale to CBS, demonstrated her ability to scale digital assets and monetize audiences. Tanner’s expertise is expected to accelerate NYPR’s podcast portfolio, enhance its streaming presence, and attract younger, tech‑savvy listeners, thereby diversifying revenue streams beyond traditional underwriting and donations.

Looking ahead, Tanner faces the dual challenge of sustaining the recent fundraising upswing while extending NYPR’s brand beyond New York’s borders. By leveraging her background in audience analytics and partnership development, she can pursue national syndication deals, international content collaborations, and innovative fundraising models such as membership tiers and branded experiences. Success in these areas could position NYPR as a template for other public media entities seeking financial stability amid shrinking public funds, reinforcing the sector’s relevance in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Christy Tanner Named C.E.O. of New York Public Radio

Christy Tanner, the next chief executive of New York Public Radio · Credit: Katie Jones/Variety, via Penske Media, via Getty Images · Feb. 3, 2026

New York Public Radio, the nonprofit that owns WNYC and the classical radio station WQXR, said on Tuesday that its next chief executive would be Christy Tanner, a veteran of CBS News and The Associated Press.

Ms. Tanner, 57, will take the helm on Wednesday. In an interview, Ms. Tanner said that New York Public Radio, which is behind “The Brian Lehrer Show,” the popular podcast “Radiolab” and the local news site Gothamist, was a sometimes underestimated news and entertainment powerhouse that produced compelling journalism and cultural programming across a variety of formats.

“I think that some of the words that we use to describe this organization don’t accurately convey the depth and breadth of its programming leadership, the size of its audience and the value that these incredible programs, podcasts and live events have,” Ms. Tanner said. “Not only in New York City but nationwide.”

Public broadcasting has been in tumult since Congress voted last year to strip more than $500 million in annual funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. But New York Public Radio has been mostly insulated from the change, since it received only about 4 percent of its funding from the corporation. Like other stations, it has benefited from a surge in listener support since Congress began contemplating cutting federal funds last year, surpassing its fund‑raising goal of $57.7 million for the fiscal year by roughly $4 million.

One of Ms. Tanner’s biggest challenges will be building on that success to further shore up the finances of the organization, which has had to cut costs in recent years to offset budget shortfalls. Ms. Tanner said the organization had turned a corner financially, adding that she hoped to expand its audience nationally and internationally and strengthen its fund‑raising abilities.

Ms. Tanner will bring decades of professional experience to her new role. She spent eight years at CBS, where she expanded the network’s streaming platform and transformed its digital business. Before that, she was the chief executive of TV Guide Digital, leading its sale to CBS in 2013. She replaces LaFontaine Oliver, who in July said that he was transitioning to an executive chair role and that he would be helping the board recruit the next chief executive.