NPR (National Public Radio) is an internationally acclaimed producer and distributor of noncommercial news, talk, and entertainment programming from the United States. On December 3rd, 2005, the Berlin-Brandenburg Media Office (MABB) voted to award a new frequency, 104,1 FM, to NPR. The station’s reach covers an area of Berlin and close in suburbs which are home to more than 3.1 million inhabitants and the bulk of the international business, diplomatic, student, and tourism communities.

NPR FM Berlin went on air on April 1, 2006.  NPR FM Berlin airs much of NPR’s Worldwide stream, including such programs as Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Talk of the Nation, Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and The Diane Rehm Show.  In addition, NPR FM Berlin airs local programming, such as features which explore life in Berlin and interviews produced in cooperation with local organizations.

NPR Berlin gained immediate attention from the city’s newspapers and some of its broadcasters.  All of the media attention was strongly favorable, with comparisons to the quality of German public radio.  One of the city’s largest daily newspapers gave the new station the highest possible praise, calling it “…the best gift since the Airlift.” 

The license for NPR FM Berlin is held by a legal nonprofit, NPR Media Berlin gGmbH, in order to maintain the characteristics of a public radio station in the US.