D-C Radio: Joshua Johnson EXITING WAMU For MSNBC

Joshua Johnson

After nearly three years with WAMU 88.5’s 1A, Joshua Johnson will be stepping down as the show’s host, effective Dec. 20, to join MSNBC as an anchor.

Johnson served as the inaugural host of 1A and has been instrumental in its fast success as a national talk show, following in the footsteps of The Diane Rehm Show.

“In 2017, we proved that 1A could create a national conversation,” Johnson said. “1A proves that public media is well equipped to meet the nation’s need for news and information, including adapting to our changing times. We built something amazing, with a uniquely diverse and creative team, providing a space where anyone, anywhere can speak freely. I’m proud to have helped build that, and I look forward to seeing what 1A will become.”

Named after the First Amendment, 1A has pioneered a public radio talk-show format that successfully engages a range of diverse listeners and guests in a new national conversation. In its hometown of Washington, D.C., 1A airs live Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, and an updated evening version runs at 8 p.m. The show grew 115% in station carriage since its first year and can be heard on 368 stations across the U.S. by an audience of more than 4 million listeners on-air and on-demand.

“Joshua told us he has dreamed of hosting a national show since he was a young child,” said JJ Yore, general manager of WAMU. “We are pleased that Joshua was able to achieve that dream at WAMU and NPR. The vision for 1A, the staff and the growing audience all came together to create the success we see today, and that magical mix creates a strong foundation for a new host to take 1A to even greater heights.”

Executive Producer Rupert Allman and the staff who produce 1A will remain with the show and continue the creative and compelling work that has been heard by listeners for nearly three years.

WAMU is working closely with our partners at NPR to identify a new host. WAMU is looking for someone whose personal principles and values align with the ethos of 1A and public media.