New York Public Radio has named Christy Tanner president and CEO, overseeing WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, Gothamist, Jerome L. Green Performance Space, and New Jersey Public Radio. She will assume the role immediately.
He will succeed LaFontaine E. Oliver as Chairman of the Board. It is working to find new partnerships and support after funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was recently cut.
“Christie is the leader NYPR needs at this time,” NYPR Board of Directors Chairman John Rose said in a statement. “She brings the leadership, experience, and vision to lead NYPR into an exciting and successful future. Over the course of her extraordinary career, she has emerged as a leader in media organizations that have successfully adapted, innovated, and grown while delivering award-winning public service. She recognizes our unique role in New York City and the importance of strengthening the trust we have earned from our audiences for generations, while also having a vision to evolve our services, platforms and formats to create a center of excellence.” NYPR is sustainable for years to come. ”
Tanner is chairman of Swerve Sports, a streaming TV company, and also serves on the board of directors of Audacy, one of the nation’s largest radio and audio companies. She has led digital operations at CBS News since 2015, where she helped launch the first live streaming service by one of the nation’s leading television news stations. The free, ad-supported streaming service was called CBSN and sparked a broader move by television news departments to expand into the broadband frontier.
Tanner also held executive positions at TV Guide and The Washington Post Co.
“As a longtime fan of NYPR’s great work, I am honored to join this powerful organization with a local heart and global impact,” Tanner said in a statement. “We look forward to working with a trusted, world-class team that sets the standard for audio excellence and multiplatform to serve New Yorkers and audiences around the world.”
Tanner began his career as a reporter and editor at the Associated Press and the Commercial Appeal in Memphis. She earned an MBA in Media and Marketing from Columbia Business School and a BA in Art History from Brown University.
The announcement follows a national search led by the NYPR Board CEO Search Committee (John Rhodes, Anna Quindlen, Jenna Weiss-Berman, Gary Knell and Mark Chamlin).
Mr. Tanner will succeed LaFontaine E. Oliver, who will continue to support the organization as executive chair, driving efforts to build stability and strengthen collaboration across the public broadcasting system following the recent defunding of the Corporation.
