Freakonomics Radio Launches This Fall

By Maryann Yin 

050411_Freakonomics.jpg.jpegThe nonfiction bestseller Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything has already seen blog and documentary adaptations, but radio is the next media platform. Co-author Stephen J. Dubner signed a contract with American Public Media (APM) and New York Public Radio (NYPR) to create a Freakonomics Radio show.

Dubner has stated that the funnest part about creating Freakonomics was interviewing people. He is excited about the radio show because the venue allows for more opportunities to conduct interviews.

The press release explained: “The project will include exclusive biweekly features for APM’s weekday business program, Marketplace, and a new podcast exploring ‘what the hidden side of everything sounds like,’ released initially as a biweekly offering, then as a weekly offering in early 2011. The audio content will be available on-demand at the project’s website and on iTunes … Additionally, APM and NYPR will work with Mr. Dubner to produce and distribute five hour-long radio specials over the next year and present special live events in markets across the country.”


Back in August, we reported that the Freakonomics documentary would first be available for viewing from iTunes this month–one month before its theatrical release. Seasoned nonfiction filmmakers Morgan Spurlock, Seth Gordon, Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady worked on the film.