DC Radio: Rupert Allman Joins WAMU

Rupert Allman

Rupert Allman has joined WAMU 88.5 FM as the executive producer of a new national show that will succeed The Diane Rehm Show. WAMU began development for this new show several months ago.

According to wamu.org, Starting September 1, Rupert will lead development of the new program, which will debut after Diane Rehm steps away from the mic at the end of the year. The new show will maintain the core values of The Diane Rehm Show but offer a fresh sound, flexible format, and strong emphasis on cross-platform audience engagemen

Allman is an award-winning producer who joins WAMU from WNYC in New York, where he was executive producer of the daily national show The Takeaway with John Hockenberry.

“Now more than ever, America needs a space for honest and fair debate—a program that goes out of its way to mobilize conversations, connect communities, and ask important questions,” Rupert shares.

Before taking over as executive producer of The Takeaway, Rupert worked in Washington, running a BBC program that explained the United States to a global audience of 135 million. He also led the BBC’s coverage of the 2004 and 2008 U.S. presidential elections. Allman’s assignments have included field producing on both Iraq wars, as well as major news stories throughout Europe, South Asia and the Far East. Rupert’s awards include two national Edward R. Murrow Awards, the 2016 New York Press Club Special Award and three Sony Gold Awards.

“We’re thrilled to have Rupert join WAMU,” says Andi McDaniel, WAMU’s Senior Director of Content and News. “The Diane Rehm Show is a staple in millions of listeners’ lives. Rupert will help us build on the show’s legacy for honest conversation and civil discourse, while leading the station and the industry in new directions.”