More Changes at KCRW: Harry Shearer's "Le Show," NPR's "Weekend All Things Considered" Leave Air, Move to Digital

Tom Schnabel isn't the only KCRW mainstay departing the airwaves. Harry Shearer's "Le Show," which has been heard on KCRW since 1983, is also moving to digital. In its place, KCRW will now run the "TED Radio Hour" on Sundays at 10 a.m. It's part of a big weekend schedule shift at KCRW. Also gone: NPR's "Weekend All Things Considered" (which will still be heard on KCRW's online news channel, and remains over the air on rival KPCC). That means KCRW will go all-music starting at noon on the weekends. Here's the press release:

Harry Shearer’s Le Show will no longer be heard on 89.9FM. The station plans to continue to distribute the show for podcast and national syndication, and will continue to support the show on its digital platforms. KCRW will add the program to its 24-hour news stream on Sundays.

A mix of political satire and music, Le Show first aired on KCRW in 1983 and is now carried on more than 80 public radio stations across the U.S., the Pacific Islands, and on satellite radio, and has seen significant growth as a podcast in recent years.

“Harry Shearer and Le Show have been a part of KCRW since its inception, providing a voice of satire and comic relief while challenging the political establishment. KCRW pledges to support Harry and his incredible national and digital audience,” says KCRW General Manager Jennifer Ferro.

NPR’s TED Radio Hour, hosted by Guy Raz, formerly of Weekend All Things Considered, will now air Sundays at 10am. The weekly exploration of “ideas worth spreading” was NPR’s biggest new program launch in history and the podcast premiered at the top of the iTunes download charts for its pilot season in 2012.

“We're thrilled to be bringing the TED Radio Hour to Southern California radio listeners. The show brings ideas that inspire new ways of thinking, which has long been a tenet of public radio programming. We believe it's a perfect fit for KCRW's curious audience,” explains Ferro.

As announced last Friday, legendary DJ and former Music Director Tom Schnabel starts a new digital venture that aims to grow KCRW’s world music audience. An expert in world music and jazz, Schnabel will continue to share his wealth of knowledge through his popular Rhythm Planet blog, an on-demand music show, a Rhythm Planet membership club and a series of live events including an upcoming music salon on May 20.

“Tom is the vibrant heart of KCRW’s music programming. He’s our first music director and a critical part of the KCRW family. As we continue our digital expansion, Tom is the right person to lead the station into this new territory,” says Ferro. “He has vast knowledge of world music and jazz, among other things, and is an amazing curator, scholar and writer. He is not saying goodbye because he's not leaving. He's just changing platforms - from broadcast radio to digital.”

Listeners can hear Travis Holcombe’s new show Saturdays and Sundays from 3-6pm. Additionally, Anne Litt moves to the new time of noon to 3pm both days. Chris Douridas moves his two-hour show to 6pm on Saturday, followed by Liza Richardson and Metropolis, hosted by KCRW Music Director Jason Bentley.

On Sundays, Gary Calamar stays at 6pm. Henry Rollins moves to Sundays at 8pm and Dan Wilcox moves to 10pm. Eric J Lawrence returns to Sunday nights from midnight to 3am and Jason Kramer moves to Tuesday nights from midnight to 3am.

"Travis started as a volunteer at the station, just like I did, and it became immediately obvious that he had something special to offer. His depth of music draws out gems from all decades, plus he’s been an early supporter of a few artists who have become station favorites. I’m excited Travis is bringing his diverse and progressive playlists to the weekend, and am confident the audience will love what he has to offer," says KCRW Music Director Jason Bentley.

NPR’s Weekend All Things Considered will no longer air on KCRW 89.9FM. Instead, listeners will be kept up to date with top-of-the-hour NPR news headlines beginning at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. KCRW’s digital news stream will continue to carry WATC.

The new weekend schedule reflects KCRW’s efforts to redefine itself as more than just a radio station. KCRW has made significant investment in programming and distribution across multiple platforms. Last year’s launch of respected digital-only shows such as Strangers and the Organist is an example of KCRW’s commitment to expand its offerings beyond the FM dial. The development of the Music Mine and other mobile apps, as well as the successful streams on iHeartRadio, Spotify, TuneIn and others is part of this commitment to put KCRW wherever the audience is.

Here are the new weekend lineups:

SATURDAY
6 am NPR's WEEKEND EDITION
10 am THIS AMERICAN LIFE
11 am GOOD FOOD
Noon ANNE LITT (Music)
3 pm TRAVIS HOLCOMBE (Music)
6 pm CHRIS DOURIDAS (Music)
8 pm LIZA RICHARDSON (Music)
10 pm METROPOLIS (Music)
Midnight MARIO COTTO (Music)
3 am THE LAB (Music)

SUNDAY
6 am NPR's WEEKEND EDITION
10 am TED RADIO HOUR
11 am THE MOTH RADO HOUR
Noon ANNE LITT (Music)
3 pm TRAVIS HOLCOMBE (Music)
6 pm GARY CALAMAR (Music)
8 pm HENRY ROLLINS (Music)
10 pm DAN WILCOX (Music)
Midnight JASON KRAMER (Music)

More schedule details here. The new weekend schedule will take effect immediately, starting April 20. View the complete schedule at: http://kcrw.com/schedule.