{"id":396941,"date":"2026-01-08T21:35:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T21:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/396941\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T21:35:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T21:35:10","slug":"gbh-launches-the-curiosity-desk-trims-boston-public-radio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/396941\/","title":{"rendered":"GBH launches ‘The Curiosity Desk,’ trims ‘Boston Public Radio’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Public media organization GBH<\/a> is launching \u201cThe Curiosity Desk,\u201d a new radio show, as it scales back its flagship program \u201cBoston Public Radio\u201d from three hours to its original length of two hours.<\/p>\n

The new broadcast will be hosted by longtime GBH producer, reporter, and host Edgar B. Herwick III. The show builds on his digital series of the same name, which most recently aired segments on YouTube<\/a> and has explored everything from Americans\u2019 rising obsession with pickleball<\/a> to why there\u2019s been a surge of speed humps in Greater Boston<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Curiosity Desk\u201d radio show will begin Feb. 2 and air weekdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m, followed by \u201cThe Culture Show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to launch this new iteration of \u2018The Curiosity Desk\u2019 \u2014 and what a dream spot, between \u2018Boston Public Radio\u2019 and \u2018The Culture Show,\u2019” Herwick said in a statement. \u201cI look forward to working alongside my colleagues to shed light on a wide variety of stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new show represents GBH\u2019s first major editorial change since federal funding cuts to public media took effect in October. That led GBH to launch a $225 million funding campaign<\/a> to help support the organization and to invest in its future. <\/p>\n

GBH has also been trying to reach audiences beyond traditional television and radio. It relaunched the long-time television show \u2018Basic Black\u2019<\/a> last year under the new name \u2018GBH News Rooted,\u2019 airing the program on YouTube, through a podcast, and via the traditional broadcast.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs part of our ongoing multiplatform growth strategy, we are building on \u2018The Curiosity Desk\u2019s\u2019 digital popularity, so that audiences can enjoy the content on the radio, in person, and even as segments on our other news programs,\u201d said GBH editor-in-chief Dan Lothian.<\/p>\n

The launch of \u201cThe Curiosity Desk\u201d comes as Jim Braude and Margery Eagan, co-hosts of the nearly 14-year-old \u201cBoston Public Radio,\u201d sought to scale back the length of their show to its original length to open up a slot for other GBH talent and to have more time for other interests, they told listeners Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor ages Margery and I have urged long-timers like us to make space for the next generation,\u201d Braude said on Thursday\u2019s broadcast. \u201cFinally, Margery, we decided to take our own advice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other than the switch from three hours to two, \u201cBoston Public Radio\u201d will continue to air weekdays on GBH, with live tapings at the Boston Public Library on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. \u201cThe Curiosity Desk\u201d will also start airing live shows from GBH\u2019s library studio in the coming months, the station said.<\/p>\n

Aidan Ryan can be reached at aidan.ryan@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him @aidanfitzryan<\/a>.<\/p>\n