The PBS public affairs television program “Firing Line with Margaret Hoover” known for its news-making interviews with political figures and cultural icons, has debuted its podcast on Friday, June 11, at 8:30 pm ET. The first episode featured former Clinton Treasury Secretary and Obama National Economic Council Director Lawrence H. Summers on the state of the U.S. economy.
Firing Line with Margaret Hoover’s weekly podcast will highlight guests who appear on the television program along with exclusive and extended audio-only content and conversations. The podcast is hosted by Spotify’s Anchor platform and will be distributed on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Overcast, Pocket Casts and RadioPublic. Listen to the trailer on Spotify and Apple.
“At Firing Line, we believe that civil discourse is a civic responsibility. I’m committed to putting ideas to a rigorous, yet respectful examination,” says host Margaret Hoover. “Podcasting is the ideal platform to allow these vital conversations to develop even further.”
The podcast launch comes as the series prepares to enter its fourth season on PBS in July on a ratings high. Firing Line viewership increased 19% in the first three quarters of the 2020-21 season* and YouTube views increased 453% in the last six months.
“Our audience has responded to programming that sheds light and not heat, and we are looking forward to giving people more ways to consume our content,” says executive producer Alyssa Litoff Gordon. “The podcast represents the next stage in Firing Line’s multi-platform expansion.”
On June 1, Firing Line dropped its podcast trailer highlighting Hoover interviewing leading voices representing a range of perspectives, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, Fair Fight’s Stacey Abrams, California gubernatorial candidate Caitlyn Jenner and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY).
Firing Line with Margaret Hoover airs nationwide Fridays on PBS (check local listings) and is co-produced by The WNET Group.
*Source: TV – Nielsen Metered Market P2+ Impressions July 2020 – March 2021 v. July 2019 – March 2020
