Resources

The Pitch Page

Updated: September 3, 2010

To help sell your stories, below is a list of people and places that acquire work from freelancers. If you are one of those people or places and you'd like to add or change a listing, please proceed to the Pitch Page Submission/Update Listing Form. Also, take a look at RadioCollege.org's Ask the Expert: What makes a good pitch?. Pitches that work, pitches that don't! For an overview of rates paid to freelancers, visit our Rates Watch page.

African Learning Channel (updated 1/15/09)
African Learning Channel is an audio channel run by First Voice International, a 501c3 organization that works with community groups, international organizations and government agencies to deliver information on pressing issues to impoverished rural and urban populations in Africa and Asia. The Africa Learning Channel provides programming developed from content produced by African NGOs, media groups and other content providers, specifically for an African audience. The channel focuses on programming related to international development issues and humanitarian purposes.show: hour-long topical magazine programs
segments: varies
compensation: check with African Learning Channel
pitch: By email
contact: info@firstvoiceint.org
phone: (301) 960-1276
mailing address: Africa Learning Channel First Voice International 8515 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
website: http://www.apbf.tv/index.html

American RadioWorks (updated 1/15/09)
American RadioWorks is the national documentary unit of American Public Media. ARW is public radio's largest documentary production unit; it creates documentaries, series projects and investigative reports for the public radio system and the Internet. ARW represents a sustained effort at explanatory and investigative journalism. Principal themes include:   
* Public affairs documentaries on major social and economic issues
* Investigative reporting   
* Documentaries that explore significant social and cultural subjects through stories with strong narrative threads   
* "Living History," an ongoing effort to document the 20th century American experience through the lives of those who witnessed it.
ARW currently does not currently commission, acquire or distribute documentaries from independent and station-based producers.
shows:  seasonal
segments:  59:00
compensation: Payment changes depending on whether the material is commissioned, repurposed or distributed by American RadioWorks. ARW does take into account a producer's level of experience and compensates accordingly.
contact: eguettler@americanpublicmedia.org
phone:  (651) 290-1351
fax:  (651) 290-1150
mailing address:  American Public Media, 480 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101
website: http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/

BBC Americana (updated 3/3/10)
Host Matt Frei presents an insider guide to the people and the stories shaping America. Not taking many traditional reported pieces from independents as the show draws on the strengths of its host. Are using independents for "enchanced" tape synchs that might involve extra sound gathering. Keep your AIR DIRECTORY listing current, because that's where they go first to look for synch and reporting help where they need it. Still, listen to the show and if a story idea that would suit the program's style comes to mind, pitch away.
compensation: Rates for a basic tape synch $175 flat fee. Enhanced tape synchs - $225.  Buying from PRX (occasionally) at $60 per minute.
contact: David.Schulman@bbc.co.uk
website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00kpjpm

B-Side Radio (updated 3/15/10)
Kind of like the cool songs found on the back side of a 45, we dig up stories about people that may just surprise you. B-Side is a monthly podcast and public radio show hosted by Tamara Keith. B-Side is also an all volunteer operation, with stories recorded in closets and mixed on home computers.  We operate on a shoestring, but keep coming back because the creative process is enjoyable and enriching.  At B-Side we offer extensive editing and nurturing.  We offer a chance to tell stories that couldn't be told elsewhere. B-Side specializes in stories about people, stories that get beyond the gee whiz, to the why.  We don't require news pegs or expert voices of reason.  Actually we prefer to go without them.
show: 30/60 monthly/every 2 months
segments: 2-15
compensation: none - this is an all volunteer operation
pitch: Please contact Tamara via e-mail. Please check out our "manifesto" where you will find a very complete explanation of how we work, and the types of stories we are looking for.
contact: Tamara Keith, Senior Producer, tamara@bsideradio.org
website: www.bsideradio.org

California Report (updated 1/15/09)
The California Report, produced by KQED 88.5FM in collaboration with public radio stations throughout California, is a statewide radio news program. The California Report provides daily coverage of issues, trends, and public policy decisions affecting California and its diverse population. It is carried by more than 20 public radio stations, from Arcata to San Diego. Many local station reporters are regular contributors to the program. The morning daily edition of The California Report, a nine-minute broadcast airing on KQED 88.5FM Monday -- Friday at 6:50a.m. and 8:50 a.m., updates important news from the weekend and spotlights events and issues expected to develop during the coming week. The Friday edition, airing on KQED 88.5FM at 4:30 p.m., 6:30p.m., and 11:00 p.m., is a 29-minute news magazine that provides in-depth analysis of the week's top news stories and includes newsmaker interviews, debriefings with reporters and editors, and commentaries.
show: 8 and a half minutes weekdays; plus a 29-minute magazine on Fridays
segments: varies
compensation: unavailable/undisclosed
pitch: By email preferred.
contact: calreport@kqed.org
phone: (415) 864-2000
fax: (415) 553-2897
mailing address: The California Report, KQED-FM, 2601 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
website: www.kqed.org/radio/tcr/index.html

Environment Report (updated 3/24/10)
The Environment Report is a collaborative effort among 160 public radio stations to create a weekly news-feed of reports about the environment. Each feed contains two to three features, the occasional commentary, and four to five news spots. Every week, public stations incorporate those individual stories into their local programming. For maximum exposure, pieces are designed to be used individually during the "local news" sections of national programs like National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" or "All Things Considered."  We won't take stories already broadcast on an NPR program, but stories run locally or on a state network are fine.   
segments: news wraps 0:45-0:50 excluding lede; commentary 2-2:30, features 3:30-4:30 including lede
compensation: We pay $400 for a 3:50 piece (including lead) and an additional $40 for the same piece cut down to 2:15.  We pay $40 for a spot and an additional $20 for a two-way for our daily show. We expect pieces to be sound-rich. Mileage and lodging will be reimbursed if expenses are approved in advance.
Format: modular feed (6-8 stories a week)
pitch: Email or phone pitch to TER Editors is acceptable; phone is quicker. We’re accepting pitches from EXPERIENCED independents.  Stories must be relevant to the everyday lives of the majority of the audience.  We are a national show and stories must have a national perspective. Before pitching, producers should carefully read our Submission Guidelines:  http://www.environmentreport.org/about/submissions.php
contact: Lester Graham, Senior Editor, graham@environmentreport.org
phone: (877) 550-4572
Note: In Lester's absence, contact Mark Brush, Editor/Technical Director, (734) 647-3472, brush@environmentreport.org
website: www.glrc.org

Free Speech Radio News (updated 1/15/09)
Free Speech Radio News (FSRN) is the half-hour daily newscast distributed by the Pacifica Radio network. The show is heard on 60+ stations in the U.S. and worldwide via shortwave every weekday. FSRN's mission is to provide incisive news and analysis; investigate and air important international and domestic stories ignored or suppressed by the corporate press; and promote cultural diversity and pluralistic community expression. FSRN seeks to break from the routine dependence on corporate and governmental news organs, analysts and their press releases. For news sources, we prioritize direct participants and first-person narratives over government spokespeople and professional analysts. Each show contains four to six features, the occasional commentary and four to five headline news spots. Pacifica stations and their affiliates play the show in its entirety or incorporate individual stories into their local programming.
show: 29 minutes/ M-F
segments: Features stories are 3-4 mins with a minimum of 3 voices. Mini-features generally run 2 mins with 2 voices. News headlines (usually same-day turnaround) run 45-60 seconds, with or without an actuality.
compensation: $170 for a 3:00-4:00 minute reporter package ("full feature")$80 for a 1:30-2:59 minute reporter package ("mini-feature")$40 for a headline with sound bite$30 for a headline voicer only$50 Vox Pop/Street Beat
$50 Reporter's Notebook
$50 Q&A Interview
$30 Raw Tape
deadlines:  * FEATURE SCRIPTS -- 7 PM US Pacific Time, 10 PM US Eastern; or 7 AM US Pacific, 10 AM US Eastern
    * HEADLINE SCRIPTS -- 10:00 AM US Pacific Time, 1:00 PM US Eastern
    * AUDIO UPLOAD -- 11:30 AM US Pacific Time, 2:30PM US Eastern
pitch: Read our guidelines: www.fsrn.org/content/reporter-guidelines/5. By email preferred.
contact: features@fsrn.org or headlines@fsrn.org
website:  www.fsrn.org

Here and Now (updated 3/24/10)
Here and Now is public radio's noon news magazine. Produced every weekday at WBUR in Boston, Here and Now is a nationally syndicated, fast-paced program that covers up-to-the-minute news and also provides regular features on music, food, science and technology, as well as cultural stories about film, theater, music and more. We're looking for sound-rich produced field pieces of 3 to 9 minutes, depending on the material and the topic. While the format is flexible, we need freelancers to provide something we can't get through a phone or ISDN interview conducted by our in-studio host. We do not want traditional reporter packages. Whenever possible, the pieces should have informal narration or, even better, none. The show has a conversational style, and so should the field pieces. We are willing to consider previously broadcast work.
shows: one hour Monday-Friday
segments: 3-9 minutes
pitch: Due to budget constraints, Here and Now, is not taking pitches from independent producers at this time.
contact: submissions@here-now.org
phone: (617) 358-0397
mailing address: Attn: Here and Now, WBUR, 3rd Floor, 890 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215
website: www.hereandnow.org

High Plains News (updated 1/15/09)
High Plains News provides up to 3-4 issue-specific programs annually on compelling topics that are largely unreported by other media. Programs examine agriculture, the environment, education and health, the lives of Native Americans and the elderly, natural resources and energy, for public radio reporting with a distinctly rural flavor. Arts, culture and thought-provoking commentary combine for unique reporting as varied as the Western landscape.
shows: 30-60 minutes, 3-4 times yearly
contact: Kevin Cowling, Communications Coordinator
phone: (406) 252-9889
fax: (406) 252-1092
mailing address: 2401 Montana Ave, Suite 301, Billings MT 59101
website: www.HighPlainsNews.org

Latino USA (updated 1/15/09)
Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective. It is a production partnership of KUT Radio and the Center for Mexican American Studies at The University of Texas at Austin. Latino USA is distributed by NPR and the Longhorn Radio Network.
show: weekly half-hour
segments: 4-7 minutes; possibly longer
compensation: $85/minute
pitch: By email preferable for first contact. See our FAQ: How do I propose story ideas ? and our contributors guidelines
contact: lusa@npr.org
phone: (800) 445-4005
fax: (512) 475-6873
mailing address: Latino USA, University of Texas at Austin, 2609 University Ave, Suite 3.108, Austin, TX 78705
website: www.latinousa.org

Living on Earth (updated 1/15/09)
Living on Earth is a weekly, one hour environmental news and feature program.  We're distributed by Public Radio International and air on over 275 public radio stations. LOE's features, interviews, and commentaries examine the social, economic, political and technological forces behind environmental change.  We're particularly interested in sound-rich pieces which use a strong narrative to tell a story.  
shows:  one hour weekly
segments:  varies;  most pieces are 4-8:00, but we also air longer or shorter segments
compensation: LOE pays $100/minute of produced tape, plus approved expenses.
pitch:  By email preferred.
contact: Eileen Bolinksy, bolinsky@loe.org
phone:  (617) 629-3629   
fax:  (617) 629-3625
mailing address:  Living on Earth, 20 Holland St., Suite 408, Somerville, MA 02144
website:  www.loe.org

Making Contact (National Radio Project) (updated 1/15/09)
National Radio Project's Making Contact is a 30-minute nationally syndicated weekly public affairs radio program. We air on more than 200 NPR, community and college-based radio stations across the nation and can be heard in Canada, Ireland, South Africa and Australia. We also podcast our show. Utilizing voices and perspectives not often heard in mainstream media, Making Contact focuses on the human realities of politics, the connections between local and global events, and creative solutions for people to engage in hopeful democratic change.
shows: 29 minutes, weekly
segments: 8-10 minutes, 13 minutes, full length documentary (length depends on type of show we're producing)
compensation: Varies by level of difficulty and experience of producer. Please see our rates: http://radioproject.org/production/subguide.html
pitch: Write a one or two paragraph description of your pitch. This should include the elements of your story including potential interviewees, actualities, ambient sound, music etc. If you haven't submitted work to Making Contact before, please send links or mail samples of your work. Making Contact is not a "weekly" news program; it delves deeper into the economic, social, and political issues underlying the news headlines. Stories should avoid time-dating and should be relevant three to six months after broadcast. Before pitching a story, please be familiar with the mission of National Radio Project. We'll try to respond to every pitch as soon as we are able. If you don't hear back from us within two to three weeks, please feel free to email us again or call us.
Making Contact Submission Guidelines: http://radioproject.org/production/subguide.html
contact: Tena Rubio, Executive producer/Host, pitches@radioproject.org
phone: (510) 251-1332 x104
mailing address: National Radio Project/Making Contact, 1714 Franklin Street, #100, Oakland, CA 94612
website: http://radioproject.org/
 
Marketplace (updated 9/3/10)
Marketplace is public radio's daily magazine of business and economics. Produced and distributed by American Public Media.
show: five days/week: 30 minutes evenings, five 9-minute Morning Reports
segments: 2.5-5 minutes
compensation: Flat rate based on level of expertise involved. The rates for features generally range between $300 - $600 depending on length and reporting difficulty.
pitch: By email.   pitches@marketplace.org
pitch guidelines: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/about/pitches.html
*       The frame or angle is crucial - what's the import, the context, and the approach
*       It's now, it's news, it's fresh
*       It's about money, business, the economy - or uses those as a lens on how we live
*       It's clear why people all over the country would care
*       It's written clearly, conversationally, even cleverly - and gets to the point
Here's a list of things that may inspire your pitch. But by themselves, they aren't enough:
*       A question
*       An idea
*       An overview
*       An issue
*       An event (especially not a conference)
*       A character
*       An anecdote
*       An unattributed paragraph from a newspaper story
phone: (213) 621-3500
fax: (213) 621-3508
mailing address: Marketplace, 261 South Figueroa Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90012
website: www.marketplace.publicradio.org

National Native News (updated 1/15/09)
National Native News is a weekday, five-minute radio newscast. It's one of Koahnic Broadcast Corporation's four nationally syndicated radio programs. NNN is produced in Albuquerque, NM. It is a headline radio news service dedicated to Native American issues and events that compiles spot news reports from around the country. NNN is the first Native-produced, daily Native radio newscast that is distributed nationally. NNN airs news stories about Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Indigenous People worldwide.
show: 5 minutes, Monday through Friday
segments: 0:50-1:15
compensation: The pay scale is generally from $45.00-75.00 per story. Compensation can be negotiated if a submission requires heavy editing or editorial requirements have not been followed. When submitting for the first time, be sure to submit your SSN, mailing address and phone number. NNN uses a weekly pay schedule. News stories purchased become the property of NNN. Reporters are not paid residuals for additional use of their work. NNN will pay a "kill fee" for commissioned stories if not used/aired. NNN does not pay for travel expenses.
pitch: By email or phone. NNN either accepts story pitches from reporters and/or gives assignments to reporters. NN daily FILING DEADLINE IS NO later than 10 A.M. ET on the airdate.
contact: Antonia Gonzales, Anchor/Producer, agonzales@nativenews.net
phone: (505) 277-9180
fax: (505)277-4268
mailing address: National Native News, P.O. Box 40194, Albuquerque, NM 87196
website: www.nativenews.net

National Public Radio (updated 3/3/10)
National Public Radio Programming
shows: vary; http://www.npr.org/about/programs
segments: vary from show to show
compensation: Varies by level of difficulty and experience of the producer: Mid-range experience level paid between $350 and $1K. Newscast rates: domestic wrap- $40; domestic voicer - $35; overseas wrap - $45; overseas voicer - $40. Actualities or Q&As that are "aired" - $20.
pitch: Before pitching, see helpful hints at NPR Submission Guidelines (pdf). If you already have pitch contact(s) at NPR, pitch to the appropriate one. To pitch a longer breaking news or quick turnaround story, contact your regional bureau chief. Northeastern Bureau Chief (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, DE, MD, DC, PA) Andrea De Leon adeleon@npr.org Southern Bureau Chief (WV, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, TN, MS, LA, AR, TX, OK, VA, KY) Russell Lewis rdlewis@npr.org Midwestern Bureau Chief (OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, MN, IA, MO, KS, NE, ND, SD) Ken Barcus kbarcus@npr.org Western Bureau Chiefs (CA, AZ, NM, UT, CO, NV, WA, OR, WY, ID, MT, AK, HI) Alisa Joyce or Kate Concannon westbc@npr.org To pitch a commentary or essay, see http://www.npr.org/about/ pitch/#commentary. To pitch a spot (:45) on breaking news, call Newscast Unit (800) 433-1277. To pitch an audio postcard, see http://www.npr.org/about/ pitch/postcards.html. To pitch an idea for a new program, or to inquire about syndication of an existing program, contact Stacey Foxwell, Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President for Programming, sfoxwell@npr.org. For help in framing a pitch and identifying the appropriate recipient at NPR or another acquirer, contact NPR’s Liaison with Independent Producers, Paul Ingles at paul@paulingles.com  or (505) 255-1219.
mailing address: NPR, 635 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20001-3025
website: www.npr.org

On the Media (updated 1/15/09)
On the Media explores the interplay between the press and the public,and explores all things media, from the internet to the telegraph. The show is produced by WNYC and distributed by National Public Radio. We are always looking for reported pieces that make rich use of sound and explore the media in an unconventional way.
show: one hour weekly
segments: up to 10 minutes
compensation: $100 a minute.
pitch: By email.
contact: Jamie York, Associate Producer, jyork@wnyc.org
phone: (212) 669-3528
mailing address: 1 Centre Street, NY, NY, 10007
website: www.wnyc.org/onthemedia

Only a Game (updated 6/3/10)
An award-winning weekly sports magazine hosted by veteran NPR commentator Bill Littlefield, Only A Game is radio for the serious sports fan and the steadfast sports avoider. Produced by WBUR in Boston, Only A Game puts sports in perspective with intelligent analysis, insightful interviews, and a keen sense humor.

You don’t have to be an expert on sports to pitch to Only A Game. But, you should be an experienced reporter with excellent writing and technical skills and a conversational delivery style.
segments: 4 to 7 minute pieces   
compensation: Our rate is $100 per minute of produced piece, including lead. For shorter pieces, we pay a minimum of $400. We pay reasonable travel expenses.
pitch: All pitches should be sent via email to oag@wbur.org. Please title your email “Story Submission” to keep it from being lost in the sea of spam. Keep your pitch concise and focused. One to two paragraphs is plenty. All pitches should be accompanied by a link to a recent story, so that we can get a better sense of whether your style fits into our show. Whenever possible, we book freelance stories a full month, or more, in advance. If you’re pitching a late-breaking story and need a quick answer, you can call our Senior Producer, Gary Waleik at 617-353-0709. Keep in mind that Gary much prefers to hear from you via email, and if you call on Thursday or Friday he might be too busy to answer his phone. Associate Producers Karen Given (617-353-0706) or Doug Tribou (617-353-0712) might be better able to respond, especially late in the week.

For more detailed information, check out our Submission Guideline page: http://www.onlyagame.org/submission-guidelines/
contact: Gary Waleik, Senior Producer: oag@wbur.org
phone: (617) 353-0709
website: www.onlyagame.org

Outright Radio
Outright Radio, distributed by PRI, presents hour-long radio specials featuring the extraordinary stories of America's Gay Community. Each show is filled with the heartache and humor of being openly gay, lesbian, bi and transgendered at the beginning of the 21st century. Feel free to suggest a story idea. We pay industry rates for non-exclusive use. Stories should be more than just entertaining: they should have depth and impact and explore the complexities of the queer experience in away that is digestible and intriguing to both gay and straight listeners. Stories must be true. Please note that we do not cover news or current events. We don't review books or CDs. We may not have the time to respond to all inquiries. Our production cycle begins in the summer with story pitches. By fall we have contracted and begun production on the pieces.
shows: We produce 6 hours of programming each year and approximately 3 artists are invited to submit their piece for each show.
segments: varies
compensation: unavailable/undisclosed
pitch: Email preferred.
contact: David Gilmore, Executive Producer/Host, David@OutrightRadio.org
phone: (866) 688-7234
mailing address: Outright Radio, c/o KXCI Radio, 220 South 4th Avenue, Tucson AZ 85701
website: www.outrightradio.org

Performance Today (updated 9/3/10)
Performance Today (PT), from American Public Media, is a classical music magazine that recreates the thrill of live concerts recorded by world-renowned artists on stages around the world. Listeners can experience the finest solo, chamber, and symphonic works -- not on CD, but performed in the concert hall by today's foremost musicians. The daily two-hour program offers intriguing features, engaging interviews, and in-depth commentary by nationally known music experts to help listeners learn more about this rich art form and experience firsthand the creative vitality of the classical music world.
show: two hours daily M-F
segments: smaller scale pieces (1-3 mins) to enhance the music on the show; but always open to bigger possibilities
compensation: unavailable/undisclosed
pitch: By email is best, phone second.
contact:
phone: (800) 562-8440
mailing address: 480 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101
website: http://performancetoday.publicradio.org/

Prime Time Radio (updated 3/3/10)
Prime Time Radio is seeking submissions of produced pieces of 4:00-4:30 for "Prime Time Postscript." The PTPS pieces run at the end of the 54-minute Prime Time Radio show each week – in a slot normally filled by newscasts. “Prime Time Postscript” is not limited by format or topic – but we do target the 50+ audience. That usually does not mean much – people 50+ are pretty much interested in everything. What we are looking for is creative and interesting stories. We want to provide a place to air the good works of creative producers that have not already been nationally broadcast (pieces broadcast locally are fine). We are seeking fully produced pieces only. The slot is 4:30 so pieces cannot be any longer than that, but they can be a bit shorter (no less than 4 minutes) as we have theme music for fill. We’ll be happy to air any credits desired.
show: one-hour weekly
segments: 4:00-4:30
compensation: We pay $350 for the spot and an extra $50 for fully cleared photos to use on the website.
pitch: By email preferred. Send MP3s or links to audio if available.
contact: Janelle Haskell, jhaskell@aarp.org
phone: (202) 434-2601
mailing address: Prime Time Postscript 601 E St., NW Washington, DC 20049
website: www.aarp.org

Pulse of the Planet
Pulse of the Planet is a daily, two-minute radio series that follows the seasonal rhythms of nature, culture and science. Those interested in producing a story for Pulse will be expected to conduct an interview and collect sound if available, but not to produce the final program.
show: two-minutes weekdays
compensation: We pay $150 plus expenses for raw tape (interview and sound) for domestic stories and $200 plus expenses for international stories. If the story is seasonal and has a strong sound component, we'll likely be interested.
pitch: By email.
contact: Jim Metzner, Executive Producer, pulse@igc.org
website: www.pulseplanet.com

Sirius XM OutQ News
Sirius XM OutQ is America's first 24/7 radio outlet broadcasting to the gay, lesbian, bi and transgender community. All the stories in OutQ newscasts are spot news, five-W type items. We try to throw in an amusing kicker in each newscast, but even these must be timely. There is presently no room in our format for radio features or magazine pieces.

All the stories in OutQ newscasts are spot news, five-W type items. We try to throw in an amusing kicker or entertainment spot in each newscast, but even these must be timely. There is presently no room in our format for radio features or magazine pieces. 

show: Eight 4 min. newscasts M-F, repeated to fill 24 hrs

segments: voicers & wraps 0:45-1:30

pitch: Email. Sirius XM OutQ is North America's only 24/7 radio outlet broadcasting to the gay, lesbian, bi and transgender community. OutQ appears on Channel 109 of Sirius Satellite Radio and Channel 98 on XM Satellite Radio. OutQ's four-minute newscasts cover newsworthy events of interest to a national sexual minority audience.

contact: Tim Curran, News Director, tim.curran@siriusxm.com
phone: (212) 584-5116
fax: (646) 313-2116
mailing address: 1221 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
website: www.siriusoutq.com

Sound Medicine
Sound Medicine, public radio's weekly magazine about medicine and health, is a lively mix of studio interviews, field pieces, phone/tape sync interviews, personal essays, health quizzes and snappy features (plus ideas we haven't thought of yet). The program is a joint production of WFYI (public radio in Indianapolis) and the Indiana University School of Medicine. In its 7th year of production, Sound Medicine is hosted by a seasoned journalist, with additional interviews conducted by a trained team of educators and clinicians.  We pay competitive rates, based on length, experience with the producer, production requirements, etc. Program is also produced as a free weekly podcast through iTunes. Payment upon acceptance; because of our long lead times, there may be several weeks or more between acceptance and broadcast of purchased pieces.
segments: varies (1:30 to 12:00)
compensation: pay rates will be negotiated individually, at or above the typical NPR scale  (at or around $100 per minute up to $500 maximum; $250 for pieces that have had previous national exposure). SM also occasionally willing to buy unedited pieces from reporters/producers from whom I have purchased pieces before.
pitch: Pitch via email, please. Upon request, stories can be posted on our ftp site. We seek a wide range of health and medicine stories, from personal essays to in-depth explorations of diseases, treatments, current research, health issues. Background web links, journal articles, etc are appreciated. Stories may not have aired in Indiana; however, this is a great way to repurpose undated health stories that have aired elsewhere. Queries  are welcome at any time. Please allow 2 weeks for response.
contact: Nora Hiatt, Senior Producer, soundmedicin@iupui.edu
phone:  (317) 274-7722
fax: (317) 278-8722
mailing address: Sound Medicine, 1110 West Michigan St., LO401, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN 46202
website: http://soundmedicine.iu.edu

Soundprint (updated 3/25/10)
Soundprint is the longest running non-fiction documentary series on public radio. We seek topics of substance. We call Soundprint the aural equivalent of photojournalism. We like stories which engage the listener's mind, imagination and heart. We encourage creative and inventive use of sound, using state of the art technology to develop a contemporary art of story telling. Programs can range from the hard investigative to the evocative experiential documentary.

We have no set topics or themes that will make your piece more or less likely to be acquired.  We like good, rich sound, clear and personal writing/storytelling, and stories which can translate/appeal to a national and international audience (along those lines, national and international rights need to be free and clear -- if international is a problem, you have to let us know).

YOUR BEST BET IS TO HAVE SOMETHING FOR US TO LISTEN TO.  I cannot stress that enough.  As far as pitches are concerned, we are currently in acquisition mode almost exclusively -- especially if we haven't worked with you before from soup-to-nuts. We do not run hour-long specials within the series, but we will take pieces that work at 29:00 (minus :30 for music bed and about 3:00 for host lead, credits, backs, and forward promotion).  We will gladly work with you on reversioning longer-form pieces that we like.  It's doubtful that we'd work with you on reversioning longer-form pieces that we *don't* like.
show: one hour weekly, divided into two 30-minute modules
segments: 25:30 minutes
compensation: SP prefers not to disclose. Program by program. Neither a per minute, nor a day rate.  We pay more than the lower rates, and less than the highest rates, per produced minute (we know you gotta eat; but we're a volume-buyer).  We will gladly offer technical assistance, including some mixing&mastering assistance, without affecting your rate.  This is for us, too -- the flip side is that we often will request technical adjustments.
pitch: By email is easiest. See our Producer's Guidelines: http://www.soundprint.org/radio/produce.php
Responses will generally be slow -- production meetings are difficult to schedule and front-loaded with a currently-very-busy production pipeline.  Pestering me does help you get results, is entirely appropriate, and will not arise my ire. 
contact: Jared Weissbrot, jared@soundprint.org
phone: (301) 317-0110
fax: (301) 317-6794
mailing address: Soundprint Media Center, 300 Thomas Drive Suite #4, Laurel, MD 20707
website: www.soundprint.org

The Splendid Table (updated 3/24/10)
The Splendid Table, starring Lynne Rossetto Kasper, is about food -- enjoying it, buying it, cooking it -- and about eating out, entertaining, health and travel. We're looking for produced field pieces which fit our program.We need stories about food as a window to a culture; about meals as a memorable part of travel; about food producers (artisans and otherwise), the business of food, and new trends; about food and health; about the behind-the-scenes of restaurants or other food businesses; about festivals, family gatherings, holiday celebrations, and amazing parties -- and about people with particular passions about food. Pieces with a quirky point-of-view or a sense of humor are encouraged. Pieces about local restaurants or other food businesses should focus on the exceptional people who run them, or have some other editorial focus which makes the story interesting to our national audience.  
show: national one-hour show which airs weekly on over 200 public radio stations across the country and is also podcast weekly.
segments: we are looking for segments that are 3-5 minutes in length.
compensation: We pay $400 for each piece we commission; $500 if you provide us with the finished mix. We ask for the non-exclusive right to broadcast the piece on radio, and to offer it on the Web (in both"streamed" and/or archival form), both in perpetuity. You would own all rights to the piece other than those granted to us. We ask only that The Splendid Table receive an appropriate credit when the piece, or elements thereof, appears elsewhere. We honor the spirit of the Code published by AIR.
pitch: E-mail a brief description of your piece as well as the edited and mixed piece (mp3, audio link, etc) for our review and consideration. We will respond quickly with ayes or no, or with a proposed modification of the piece. If we say yes, we will send you an Agreement right away.
contact: Jennifer Russell, Producer, jenrussell@americanpublicmedia.org
phone: (651) 433-3439
fax: (651) 433-4667
mailing address: American Public Media, The Splendid Table, 480 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55101
website: http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/

Studio 360 (updated 3/24/10)
"PRI's Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen" is a program about the arts, pop culture and ideas, hosted by novelist and journalist Kurt Andersen.  The show is a coproduction of Public Radio International and WNYC.  We are interested in trends stories, arts news (including business of the arts), and stories about creative people.  Close knowledge of particular art communities is a great advantage.  In every case, we look for reporting with a strong personal voice, motivated by genuine concern and passion for a subject.  To receive our independent producer guidelines, or to receive our sporadic call for stories, contact Associate Producer Michele Siegel, mtsiegel@wnyc.org.
segments: 2-8 minutes
compensation: With regard to rates, we took a tip from the new NPR system and decided that levels based on complexity and labor (rather than arbitrary duration brackets) made a great deal more sense – especially for the kind of feature we make.  I'd like to note here that the great majority of stories we assign will fall at Levels 2 or 3.

A Level 1 Story would typically:
    * Start with topic or subject selection provided by Studio 360
    * Consist of interview(s) with a single subject, recorded in person or by remote, or short interviews captured in a brief period of time.
Fee:    $350    (with mixing bonus: $500)

A Level 2 Story would typically:
    * Consist primarily of interview(s) with a single subject, recorded on location or in studio
    * Involve careful subject selection and research
    * Use sound richly
Fee:    $475    (with mixing bonus: $625)

A Level 3 Story would typically:
    * Involve significant research
    * Feature multiple interviews in person or by remote
    * Require reporting on location
    * Use sound richly
Fee:    $875    (with mixing bonus: $1025)

A Level 4 Story would typically:
    * Involve significant research and expertise in the subject matter
    * Require out-of-town travel by the reporter
    * Involve location reporting at multiple sites
    * Feature multiple interviews
    * Use sound richly
Fee:    $1000  (with mixing bonus: $1150)
New York Public Radio will apply the mixing bonus of $150 when Producer provides a complete and finished mix of the  Piece, upon approval of that mix from the Editor.

pitch: Pitch your story (brief - 2 paragraphs) by email to Michele Siegel, mtsiegel@wnyc.org and cc David Krasnow (dkrasnow@wnyc.org). We prefer not to "pre-screen" ideas by phone or email before you pitch. The subject line of your emails should start with "PITCH: ".  It must include a one to two-paragraph summary of what the story would be, paying particular attention to key elements of your story (e.g., interviewees, actualities, location tape, scoring, etc), style of production, what a general listener in a large national audience will enjoy about the story, and your voice in the piece.  You should also let us know how you found out about a story, and whether the subject has been covered elsewhere.  We try to respond to every pitch as soon as we are able, but you are welcome to contact us to check on the status in a reasonable time frame. Please do not ask us to look at websites in your pitch, as they will not be part of most listeners' experience.
contact: Michele Siegel, mtsiegel@wnyc.org
website: www.studio360.org

This American Life
This American Life is a bunch of stories -- some are documentaries, some are fiction, some are something else. Each week we choose a theme and invite different writers and performers to contribute items on the theme. (We seek surprising character- driven stories that generally follow a traditional literary structure. We pay expenses and $200 a day; the artist owns their own work and TAL keeps re-broadcast rights). Theme List distributed via AIRdaily email list.
show: one hour weekly
segments: generally 6-12 minutes; but if we like it, it can be any length.
compensation: $200+/day
pitch: By email. Submission Guidelines available. Please put "submissions" in the subject line.
contact: Julie Snyder, Senior Producer, julie@thislife.org
phone: (212) 624-5012
mailing address: This American Life, 53 W. 27th Street, Suite 1104 New York, NY 10001
website:  www.thislife.org

Transom (updated 3/25/10)
Transom.org is an experiment in channeling new work and voices to public radio through the Internet, for discussing that work, and encouraging more. Transom.org acquires pieces for about $300 a pop.  We encourage and assist producers in getting their work broadcast after it appears on Transom: on NPR news shows, This American Life, Hearing Voices, and other venues.  We also coordinate Transom features with PRX distribution.  We sometimes anthologize pieces in The Transom Radio Hour.

We're looking for great radio -- things that are less heard, different angles, new voices, new ways of telling, and any other good pieces that haven't found another way onto public radio. Editors evaluate material more by what it does than what it is. Some questions they'll consider:
• On the air, would it keep you by your radio until it's over?
• Is the maker someone of talent who should be encouraged?
• Does it push at the boundary of conventional radio in an exciting way?
• Will it provoke fruitful discussion online?

Submissions can be stories, essays, home recordings, sound portraits, interviews, found sound, non-fiction pieces, audio art, whatever, as long as it's good listening. Material may be submitted by anyone, anywhere -- by citizens with stories to tell, by radio producers trying new styles, by writers and artists wanting to experiment with radio. As long as it hasn't already aired nationally, we'll consider it.
pitch: By online submission form (preferred): http://www.transom.org/about/submit_agrmnt.html
Also accept submissions via snail mail (see below). They should be sent with a signed submission agreement form.
contact: editorial@transom.org
mailing address: Transom, 3 Water Street, P.O. Box 445, Woods Hole, MA 02543
website: www.transom.org

The Voice of America
The Voice of America is the United States' representative on international radio. We are an independent agency within the federal government. In addition to English, VOA broadcasts in more than 40 languages. English language scripts may be translated and used by other language services. We rely on our freelancers to provide an audio picture of the people and issues in their part of the country. We want to hear from people who are involved in their communities, not just academics and spokespeople, in reports with natural sound (whenever appropriate). We're interested in stories on immigrant groups, environmental issues, medical developments, education, community action, social programs and religion. In other words, we want our programming to present the broad range of American experiences, portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of US society, and reflecting the nation's diversity of opinion. For a sampling of stories we've broadcast, check out VOA's American Life page. VOA's English language audience includes many students and businesspeople, as well as foreign government officials. Most speak English as a second (or third) language, and listen to VOA not only for news and information, but to improve their comprehension. We also reach Americans overseas -- Peace Corps workers, diplomats, journalists, missionaries and members of the Armed Forces. In submitting an idea, consider why someone in Nigeria or China would want to listen to the story.
show: Americana pieces are used throughout the day in the news stream; science-related stories may air on Our World, a weekly half-hour program.
segments: 3-5 minutes. We purchase 10 to 20 stories a month from stringers; many are 'turn-arounds' of pieces that aired on your local station or a national program.
compensation: For a piece we request, or that you are doing originally for VOA, we pay $300. For a 'turn-around' piece that has aired elsewhere and that you've been paid for, we pay $150. For turn-arounds, we edit the original script for our international audience, and you re-voice it. You may produce it, or send us the elements to produce here. VOA does not pay travel expenses. Payment is made by direct deposit, and requires registration with the government-wide Central Contractor Registration system. This involves some phone and computer time on your part.
pitch: By email.
contact: Faith Lapidus, Stringer Editor, flapidus@voanews.com.
website: www.voanews.com

WAMC
compensation: National programs e.g. Health Show and 51%  $100 (flat per story)
website: www.wamc.org

WBHM-FM
WBHM-FM in Birmingham, Alabama, accepts freelance contributions for the arts and culture show Tapestry.  Tapestry stories must have a "southern" angle (southern literature, musicians from the south, etc). We encourage you to check out our website and listen to Tapestry to get a feel for our style and editorial needs. We're particularly interested in sound-rich 4-6 minute features.
shows:  30 minutes/weekly
segments:  4-8 minutes
compensation: WBHM pays $75/broadcast minute plus pre-approved expenses for Tapestry stories. $100/min plus pre-approved expenses for "Making Sense" stories
pitch: Email is best, but phone is fine too.
contact: Tanya Ott, News Director/Tapestry Executive Producer, tanya@wbhm.org
phone: (205) 934-2264
mailing address:  650 11th Street South, irmingham, Al  35233
website: www.wbhm.org

WFCR
compensation:  $65/produced minute; flat $85 for a 4-minute (edited) two-way; $55 for a spot w/field sound; $35 for a spot w/phone tape or no tape
website: www.wfcr.org

Women's International News Gathering Service
WINGS (Women's International News Gathering Service) is a series of news and current affairs programs by and about women around the world, syndicated to community radio stations in English-speaking countries. We use raw tape from freelancers as well as produced pieces. We prefer the emphasis to be on the women covered speaking themselves, rather than on a lot of script. The palette of WINGS tends to be hot, which means we like speeches and actualities from events, though we also use interviews. We are especially interested in stories featuring non-U.S.women and minority women. Subjects of most interest include women and the law, politics, labor, economics, the environment, indigenous sovereignty, sexuality, reproductive rights, war and peace, and --please! -- humor if you have it. We don't require an exclusive.
show: weekly half-hour
segments: Our final product is 29-minutes long, of which one minute is intro/outro. News features should be under 7 minutes.
compensation: Fees for news items range from $40 for our use of your raw tape in a short piece for the newscast, to $100 for a fully produced piece of 6-1/2minutes or less. For half-hours we pay a royalty of 50% of net (currently around $140) for use of your tape, and an additional $60 editing fee if the work is substantially produced.
pitch: By email. Producers' Guide available: http://www.wings.org/submit.html
contact: Frieda Werden, Producer, wings@wings.org
phone: (800) 798-9703, (604) 876-6994
mailing address: Box 95090, Kingsgate Vancouver BC V5T 4T8 Canada
website: www.wings.org

Word of Mouth (updated 3/3/10)
Produced out of New Hampshire Public Radio, Word of Mouth's focus is on new ideas and trends in science, technology, popular culture, the arts, and other fields.
compensation: We are accepting pitches from independents. We take produced features (at $60/minute) and scripted two-way interviews (for $150).
contact: Avishay Artsy, AArtsy@nhpr.org
website: www.nhpr.org/wordofmouth

The World (updated 3/24/10)
The World is a co-production of the BBC World Service, Public Radio International and WGBH. It's based in Boston and airs on more than 280 public radio stations nationally. Although the BBC World Service co-produces the show, The World must distinguish itself from the BBC World Service programming already airing on many US stations. So the program speaks directly to its US audience, ensuring that each story feels relevant to the American listener. This is easy, since the US affects the rest of the world profoundly, and vice versa. For instance, in a story reported from Sudan, it would be a disservice to The World's US listeners NOT to include what the US government has been saying or doing about the situation on the ground. And to see how the rest of the world affects life in the United States, look in your backyard and you'll find immigration issues running hot in the domestic political scene, anti-terrorism measures going into affect along US borders, an American farmer frustrated with a new international trade decision -- LOTS of stories that belong on The World.
show: one hour, daily / M-F
segments: Vary, but keep in mind that we could really use shorter pieces -- some of our best, most seasoned reporters shine brightest in their 3-minute stories. That said, we've also aired mini-documentaries as long as 15 minutes (rarely, though).
compensation: Standard feature rate is $115 per minute aired. There are also rates for providing web content (pictures, slideshows, etc.) with the caveat there that the quality of the submissions (as assessed by our web team) affects how much we pay for them.
pitch: By email; feel free to follow up later with a phone call. We ask that anybody pitching keep in mind that we are an international news program, so pitches need to be on international angles and be newsy to some degree.  
contact: Jennifer.Goren@bbc.co.uk and Aaron.Schachter@bbc.co.uk
NOTE: In common with other broadcasters, The World has recently restricted its freelance contributions.
website: www.theworld.org

World Vision Report
The World Vision Report is a nationally award-winning, hour-long weekly program that’s carried on more than 100 public radio stations across the country. The show focuses on the human stories behind poverty and justice, worldwide. We are particularly interested in reports from the developing world but will consider reports on related topics from the U.S. and other developed countries. We are looking for sound-rich, character-driven features on a wide variety of topics including poverty, human rights, refugee situations, immigration, social justice, environmental justice, the arts, health care and economic development. We also welcome: * Reporter's notebooks -- behind-the-scenes essays on a notable experience you had while covering a story; * 'Power of one' stories -- profiles of individuals who are making a positive difference; ‘Day in the life' stories -- profiles of ordinary people in extraordinary situations.* ‘What’s Cooking’ segments about local food; * ‘Street Vendor’ segments -- a snapshot of a street vendor that reflects some aspect of the local culture and economy; and ‘Stuff that Works’ segments – a quirky solution to a problem. The show has won many awards, including Murrows, Gracies, Gabriels, New York Festivals and Clarions.
segments: Generally 4-6 minutes.
compensation: $450 for stories under 4 minutes; $650 for 4-6 minute stories; and $750 for stories longer than 6 minutes. The rates for shorter, less conventional segments are as follows: reporter's notebooks ($300); street vendor segments, stuff that works, cooking segments ($250); trackless "in their own words" segments ($200); photos and blogs ($25-$50). After the first piece, the show will consider paying travel expenses if the expense estimate is submitted at the time of the pitch. The show is interested in stories that you may have filed for other networks, as long as you can come up with a fairly different angle for us. It is also fine for you to re-sell story ideas that the show has generated, as long as we get first air.
pitch: If you're pitching for the first time, please tell us about your experience, what you're doing now, and whether you have the ability to digitally edit sound files and send them by FTP or other means over the Internet. Also, please send me some audio samples of your work. Emailing an MP3 file or an audio link is fine. The show’s pitch meetings take place on Wednesday afternoons, US eastern time. We're on the lookout for pieces about poverty and justice (broadly defined) that highlight the personal stories of ordinary people, and are rich in scenes and nat sound. We're especially interested in surprising, out-of-the-box and under-reported stories that tell us something unique about life in the developing world. Our mix is about 80% international stories and 20% domestic.
contact: Leda Hartman, Assignment Editor, ledahart@mindspring.com
phone:/fax: (919) 542-0008
website: www.worldvisionreport.org

AIR's Pitch Page is the brainchild of AIR member, Barrett Golding (1999).