Live Wire launches new interview series in early July; guests include Amanda Knox and Dear White People director, Justin Simien
MINNEAPOLIS, July 6, 2017 – PRI® today announced that it will expand its relationship with radio program and podcast Live Wire with host Luke Burbank by becoming an investing partner. In addition to the investment, PRI will lend its strategic content and programming expertise to help Live Wire continue to entertain and inform enthusiastic audiences with its unique interviews of artists, musicians, writers, comedians, and cultural observers.
“PRI is committed to bringing new voices to audiences in innovative ways,” said Melinda Ward, Chief Content Officer of PRI. “Live Wire brings entertaining, culturally relevant conversations and performances to listeners, and inspires them to engage and connect with the world in their everyday lives. We’re excited to help Live Wire enrich their content and expand their reach in a bigger way.”
Live Wire launched in 2004 as a live show and a radio broadcast. Developed by veteran radio and theater producers, the team at Live Wire uses live theater to tell great stories, introduce new ideas, spark conversations, and make people laugh. PRI added the live program to its radio portfolio in 2014, and has since grown distribution to 114 stations across the country.
“The media landscape is rapidly changing, and managing a growing brand brings an array of challenges,” said Robyn Tenenbaum, Live Wire Co-Creator and Executive Producer. “PRI is a proven leader in growing programs and we’re thrilled to welcome them as an investing partner and strategic guide to help us continue to grow.”
In early July, Live Wire will launch a new interview series that features discussions with enlightened guests on some of the most pressing questions of our time. In the first episode, Luke Burbank will discuss the meaning of freedom with Amada Knox. In this intimate interview, Knox talks about the challenges of life beyond her four-year imprisonment in Italy after being wrongfully accused of murdering her roommate. Burbank will also talk to Dear White People director, Justin Simien, about his satirical voice in the dialogue about race relations in America.
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About PRI: PRI is building a more informed, empathetic, and connected world by creating multi-platform content that empowers people to benefit their lives and the world. PRI’s award winning content reaches more than 20 million people each month, through over 900 public radio stations in the U.S. and PRI.org, and millions more through podcasts and social media. An affiliated company of WGBH, PRI produces PRI’s The World®, The Takeaway (a co-production with WNYC), and Studio 360® from PRI and Slate. It produces in-depth reporting on topics including gender equity (Across Women’s Lives), international security, and American identity and immigrant life (GlobalNation). It represents public radio programs including Science Friday, q from the CBC and The Tavis Smiley Show. Major philanthropic supporters include The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Ford Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Annenberg Foundation.
About Live Wire
Live Wire is a public radio variety show taped in front of a live audience and broadcast on 114 public radio stations across the country. Think late-night for radio. Hosted by Luke Burbank, the show blends unpredictable conversation, live music, and original comedy from all types of cultural talent and creative minds, from emerging artists to established acts. www.livewire.org.