MacArthur supports programs on U.S. public television and radio and, increasingly, on the Web, to help ensure a diversity of viewpoints and expand the availability of high-quality nonfiction content. The primary focus of the Foundation’s Media grantmaking is support for programs that broadcast independent documentary films and use digital technologies to tell well-researched and important documentary stories in multiple media. The Foundation also supports non-commercial production of news programming, especially programs that help inform Americans about events and issues in other parts of the world.
Recently released Arbitron ratings show that listenership for MacArthur grantee National Public Radio has reached 27.5 million weekly, a seven percent increase over last year. The numbers show considerable growth for station-produced programs that NPR distributes. Fresh Air, The Diane Rehm Show, On the Media, On Point, and Only a Game all set new record highs. National programs such as All Things Considered also showed significant increases.
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