New York Public Radio has named Christy Tanner president and CEO, giving her oversight of WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, Gothamist, The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, and New Jersey Public Radio. She will assume the role effective immediately.
She succeeds LaFontaine E. Oliver, who will serve as executive chair of the board. working to find new alliances and support following the recent elimination of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
“Christy is the leader NYPR needs at this moment,” said John Rose, chair of the NYPR Board of Trustees, in a statement. “She brings the leadership, experience, and vision to lead NYPR into an exciting and successful future. During an extraordinary career, she has distinguished herself as a pacesetter for media organizations that have successfully adapted, innovated, and grown while delivering award-winning public service. She recognizes our singular role in New York City, and the importance of reinforcing the trust we’ve earned with audiences over generations – while having the vision to advance our services, platforms, and formats to make the center of excellence that is NYPR sustainable for years to come.”
Tanner has been serving as chair of Swerve Sports, and streaming TV company, and on the board of directors of Audacy, one of the nation’s largest radio and audio companies. She led digital operations at CBS News starting in 2015, helping to launch the first live-streamed service by one of the nation’s big TV-news outlets. The streaming service, free and ad-supported, was called CBSN and sparked a broader movement by TV-news divisions to expand into broadband frontiers.
Tanner has also held executive roles at TV Guide and The Washington Post Co.
“As a longtime fan of NYPR’s magnificent work, I’m honored to join this powerhouse organization with local heart and global impact,” Tanner said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to serving New Yorkers and audiences everywhere in partnership with the trusted, world-class team who set the standards for audio and multiplatform excellence.”
Tanner started her career as a reporter and editor at The Associated Press and at The Commercial Appeal in Memphis. She earned an MBA in media and marketing from Columbia Business School, and a B.A. in Art History from Brown University.
The announcement follows a national search led by the NYPR Board CEO Search Committee: John Rose, Anna Quindlen, Jenna Weiss-Berman, Gary Knell, and Marc Chamlin.
Tanner succeeds LaFontaine E. Oliver, who will continue to support the organization as Executive Chair, driving efforts to build stability and strengthen collaboration across the public radio system following the recent elimination of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
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