Derek McGinty Leaves WAMU After a Decades-Long Career in Talk Radio

Derek McGinty, a celebrated radio personality, will leave WAMU at the end of the month to become a full-time correspondent for CBS-TV's Public Eye. McGinty has been a staple on Washington radio for over two decades, hosting his show on WAMU since 1991. His final broadcast will air on January 30, marking the end of an era for the popular program, which is also carried on 33 National Public Radio stations across the country.

Key Takeaways:

• Derek McGinty, 38, will leave WAMU at the end of the month to become a full-time correspondent for CBS-TV's Public Eye.
• McGinty has been hosting his show on WAMU since 1991 and has become a household name in Washington, D.C.
• He is a rarity in talk radio, with a predominantly white audience and a black voice that has tackled a wide range of topics, from politics to literature.
• McGinty started his career at The Washington Post, writing newscasts for WTOP radio, and later became co-host of WHUR's Daily Drum in 1986.
• He has done occasional pieces for Gumbel's show since last year and is leaving to pursue wider national reach and network cash.
• NPR newscaster Frank Stasio will take over the program for about three months while WAMU conducts a national search for a replacement.

Statistics:

• McGinty's show will air for the final time on January 30.
• The program is carried on 33 National Public Radio stations across the country.
• McGinty has been hosting his show on WAMU for over 20 years.
• His show has a predominantly white audience and a black voice that has tackled a wide range of topics.
• McGinty started his career at The Washington Post and wrote newscasts for WTOP radio before becoming a co-host of WHUR's Daily Drum in 1986.

Sources:

• The Washington Post - "Derek McGinty, popular host of 'The Derek McGinty Show,' leaving WAMU for CBS-TV job" by Marc Fisher
• WAMU - Announcement of Derek McGinty's departure and Frank Stasio's takeover of the program