Huntsville Public Radio Drops NPR, Boosts Local Content

Huntsville's public radio station, WLRH, is revamping its programming after discontinuing NPR in September 2025. Starting July 27, 2026, the station will increase its local content from 32% to 72% of the weekly lineup. This decision comes in response to federal funding reductions to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in July 2025, which resulted in a $2.8 million loss for Alabama Public Television. WLRH faced a $192,000 fee to maintain NPR programming. Following the transition, the station's listenership improved to No. 4 in Nielsen ratings (up from approximately No. 10), although membership donations initially fell by 40%, now down only 7% in Q1 2026. Local business underwriting rose by 22%. General Manager Erich Brukner indicated that the budget was allocated to retain staff, hire a news director and morning show host, and convert two part-time positions to full-time. New local news offerings include "Tennessee Valley Mornings" (5-9 a.m.) and the evening program "ICYMI" (30 minutes at 5 p.m. weekdays). Additionally, "Adult Album Alternative" (8 p.m.-5 a.m.) now features local DJs, while shows like Arts Underground, Valley Sounds, and Curiosity Squad have been rescheduled to early weekday evenings.