Dyson show has CPB support but consortium backs away

There's been a split within the African American Public Radio Consortium over the Michael Eric Dyson Show, a midday talker launched in April by the consortium and Baltimore's WEAA. CPB awarded a $505,000 grant to WEAA on Sept. 15 to produce a show with Dyson, but it's unclear whether consortium member stations intend to carry it. Richard Prince of the Maynard Institute reports that the consortium cut ties to Dyson months ago and is backing a new weekday show hosted by Tony Cox. "The Michael Eric Dyson Show is no longer," Loretta Rucker, consortium executive director, told Prince. "We had a good four months with Dr. Dyson but the arrangement eventually devolved over compensation." Since Dyson left the broadcast this summer, Cox began hosting an AAPRC-backed broadcast. Plans call for Upfront with Tony Cox to relaunch Oct. 1 and originate from NPR West in Culver City, Calif., although NPR won't be involved in the production.