This reported fundraising success is one of the reasons PRI was eager to pick up the show. For one thing, though Glass has plenty of fans and friends inside NPR, not everyone likes his on-air persona or techniques. Sources say Murray Horwitz, head of NPR's cultural programming, believes Glass is a poor host, and lobbied against acquiring the program. Horwitz wasn't available for comment. Others inside NPR, too, are critical.
Nobody wants cutting-edge.
This source also criticized Glass' voicing. A few NPR managers were also worried that early Audigraphics audience data indicate This American Life is losing some core NPR listeners. WXYZ's core audience is comprised of people who listen to it more than any other station. NPR wound up bidding for This American Life because Chief Operating Officer Peter Jablow became convinced it was a good show, sources say. Also, NPR appears to be stalled on the Saturday entertainment package it promised stations last fall.