NPR axes four podcasts as part of layoffs

National Public Radio (NPR) will eliminate four of its podcasts as part of a broader series of layoffs that will impact 10% of its existing staff.

Among those slashed will be "Everyone & Their Mom," "Louder Than a Riot," "Rough Translation," and "Invisibilia," The Hill reported. The company reportedly has a budget deficit of more than $30 million and outlet head John Lansing has insisted that the elimination of the podcasts are a vital necessity to keep the station afloat.

NPR first announced the job cuts in February, joining other legacy media outlets such as CNN and the Washington Post, which have both made major staffing cuts in recent months.

"Unlike the financial challenges we faced during the worst of the pandemic, we project increasing costs and no sign of a quick revenue rebound," Lansing said at the time. "We must make adjustments to what we control, and that is our spending. We have reached a point where we can no longer protect all jobs." 

The layoffs will affect roughly 100 individuals, most of whom will retain their positions through April 28, per The Hill. NPR does hope that "Louder Than a Riot" will remain until June.

Lansing told the NPR that "[w]e literally are fighting to secure the future of NPR at this very moment by restructuring our cost structure. It’s that important."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.