It's very sad that it has come to this. For decades I have used FM radios in various parts of the house to listen to NPR. In the bathroom, in the garage, the kitchen, etc. Some were even High Definition FM radios, so I was all invested. What I was getting out of NPR was curated programming. All I was interested in pushing a button and listening.

I was not interested in browsing and picking interesting podcasts, as that takes both time and mental energy. And podcasts are usually short. So the process of picking has to be repeated often. I needed something that was current events, science and tech, comedy here and there. NPR was a good mix of all of that. It was something that was easy to listen to and process while doing other tasks. And only pushing the power button on the radio was enough to get that background "noise" going.

But lately (since 2016 especially) the programming has been getting worse and worse. Yesterday I've listened to an hour of programming promoting a theory that being fat is healthy. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I just can't listen to the anti-science nonsense anymore, and all the other things that should not be mentioned. I feel like I will develop a mental illness of some sort if I continue listening.

So, is there an alternative? A curated audio stream that might emulate NPR circa 1995?

 

One I always enjoy streaming is WWOZ out of New Orleans online. Not curated but also, I Heart Radio, Amazon Plus, Sirius, etc. Lots of very excellent streaming music out there. Somewhat curated is the eclectic online Georgia Tech radio station WREK "music to annoy the hell out of you neighbors with" always a good listen to hear some very strange stuff from around the world. For some a small monthly fee will allow listening to entire albums instead of random single tracks. Surprisingly YouTube has some excellent music selections especially traditional classic and jazz albums. Even with Amazon Alexas if you tell it a specific genre or artist will play some great music. Lots of choices...

 

SamR, thanks for the suggestions, but I'm looking specifically for talk radio. I am an Amazon prime member with access to their library, but music does not have that distraction effect of talk radio. I'm looking for something that carries information to distract slightly from the task at hand.

NPR used to hit that balance perfectly where you could walk out of a room and return 15 minutes later and still find the conversation interesting. With most podcasts they usually require attentive listening beginning to end.

Does anyone have a local station they like that broadcasts on the internet? That would be similar to NPR of the yesteryears, catering to the slightly more sophisticated crowd, without gossip, sports or recaps of the last WWE match.

 

Sirius XM has many talk stations. It also streams many local radio stations live.

NPR has smartphone apps to stream their content.

Amazon Music and Spotify has NPR.

 

Yesterday I've listened to an hour of programming promoting a theory that being fat is healthy.

What makes you think that is anti-science? That theory has been around for a long time. The idea is that those a little overweight have more in reserve to handle a period of serious illness. Quite plausible to me. And I am 5”10’ and 150 lbs, so I am doomed if I become ill.

 

I can't answer your question as to a show to listen to. I like the live music shows on NPR on Saturdays but can't take it much more than that. I listen to talk radio most of the day but you probably wouldn't care for the talkers I choose.

I use the TuneIn app to listen to various shows that I can't find on iHeart. In both cases you need to know what you're looking for. They're just tools to listen to radio shows online. Right at this moment I'm listening to the Bob and Tom Show 24/7. Strictly low-brow humor.

For music, I'm really impressed with Pandora. You can start with a single song you like and then as it picks other songs you rate them thumbs up or thumbs down. It's shocking how soon you'll have a custom radio station that suits your tastes. It finds all kinds of live versions and other artists' covers of songs you already know, and adds new artists you may not have yet encountered on your own. Really amazing.

 

The idea is that those a little overweight

That might be true, but it's not what was said. The station unfortunately became too fringe, and my eye brow muscles can't take it anymore.

 

I just need a Music streaming service, with my internet supplier I get Stingray Music.
Pick any genre you want.
I carry my Bose Mini II every where.

 

I listen via RadioGarden at home.

Try Radio PyongYang for a bit of light classical haha

 

The station unfortunately became too fringe, and my eye brow muscles can't take it anymore.

NPR used to be funded by donations that were for the most part no-strings-attached. Nowadays they are basically being lobbied by special-interest groups. Hence, ideas such as "fat acceptance" are being pushed upon listeners for the simple fact that some donor gave a few million bucks under the condition that their sociopolitical opinions be discussed in a positive light. So yes, it's little more than a shill's game now....

 

And yet, studies have shown people who listen to NPR are far better informed that those who listen to any other news outlets. It is still the best choice for unbiased reporting.

 

I listen to talk radio most of the day but you probably wouldn't care for the talkers I choose.

Which one, the one who admitted under oath that it was all an act, but was still found liable in a six million dollar lawsuit, or the one who ranted about drug addicts all day until he checked himself into rehab?

 

I enjoyed talk radio for years, no music in my Van going from location to location as Heating and Air Tech.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Harvey

Paul Harvey Aurandt (September 4, 1918 – February 28, 2009) was an American radio broadcaster for ABC News Radio. He broadcast News and Comment on mornings and mid-days on weekdays and at noon on Saturdays and also his famous The Rest of the Story segments. From 1951 to 2008, his programs reached as many as 24 million people per week. Paul Harvey News was carried on 1,200 radio stations, on 400 American Forces Network stations, and in 300 newspapers.

One of my favorite anchors.

kv

 

And yet, studies have shown people who listen to NPR are far better informed that those who listen to any other news outlets. It is still the best choice for unbiased reporting.

Oh come now, you must be joking.

Is that really Chris Hayes from MSNBC, interviewing an NPR anchor?

Wait, wait, don't tell me...

 

Where did I say anything about MSNBC? Are you confused, or purposely responding dishonestly?

 

Where did I say anything about MSNBC? Are you confused, or purposely responding dishonestly?

The mere fact that NPR can now be seen acting as sycophants toward media outlets like MSNBC raises a lot of questions regarding the issue of "unbiased reporting". If you cannot see that for yourself, well...chances are it just sits well with your kind of politics.

As for myself, having literally grown up on NPR programming (in fact my family has made many generous donations to the station going back to the very beginning), all I can say is that there has been a very sharp decline in the quality of its content. And for that reason I simply don't tune in anymore. I would rather read through a new feed than listen to some woke drivel about "how brave" someone is for embracing their fatness. Or whatever.

 

It is still the best choice for unbiased reporting.

There is no such thing as unbiased reporting. Everyone has many biases. Every single thought someone has is influenced by biases. It could be argued that perception of reality itself is just a bunch of biases.

So I'm not looking for "unbiased" reporting, I'm looking for programming that looks at more than one side, invites opposing views and listens to opposing opinions. NPR objectively does not do that anymore. And that's fine. They have their audience.

 

So I'm not looking for "unbiased" reporting, I'm looking for programming that looks at more than one side, invites opposing views and listens to opposing opinions.

I'm not aware of any such single source. It's far easier to find decent programming (such as NPR) and balance that with decent sources without the left-leaning bent.