The New York Times news podcast and syndicated radio show “The Daily” continues to grow as the program turned five this year. As the newspapers’ audio show hits the half-decade mark, it will be adding a new but familiar voice.
Sabrina Tavernise, The Times national correspondent, who has been a frequent contributor to the podcast, will make the jump to “The Daily” full-time, the newspaper announced. She’ll be splitting the co-hosting duties with longtime anchor Michael Barbaro.
“I’m thrilled that Sabrina is joining me as a host and a full-time member of The Daily family,” said Barbaro in a statement. “My admiration for her began a decade ago as a reader, when I marveled at the creativity and humanity of her journalism.”
“When we started The Daily, that admiration deepened as I watched her adapt those same skills to audio to create some of the most distinctive episodes we’ve ever run. Her nose for news, empathy, fair-mindedness, and collegiality will all make her a fantastic host and partner.”
Barbaro and Tavernise will host “The Daily” on separate episodes each week. The Times states that splitting these duties will permit the show to progress in new directions.
“I fell in love with audio when I first worked with The Daily and its brilliant creators a few years ago,” Tavernise said.
“The emotional power of hearing people’s voices — and the music and the drums — took storytelling to a whole new level. I felt like I was suddenly seeing colors, after a lifetime in black and white. I am so excited at the thought of joining this incredible team.”
As mentioned, Tavernise has contributed frequently on “The Daily,” working projects for the program, including The Battle for Missouri, The Abortion Wars, Roe v. Wade Part One and Part Two, and a five-part series on race and policing in Baltimore.
“Having a second host will make The Daily even stronger,” said Times editors in the announcement. “It will allow both Michael and Sabrina to dig deeper into stories and share responsibility for The Times’s flagship show, which — as Michael himself has told us— has grown too big for one person.”
“It’s hard to imagine someone better suited than Sabrina. She’s an exemplary Times journalist who shares Michael’s depth and breadth of reporting experience, passion for storytelling, and deep commitment to the medium of audio,” said Times editors Dean Baquet, Lisa Chow, Sam Dolnick, and Paula Szuchman in their joint email to staffers.
Over the past week, Tavernise in Ukraine on assignment for The Times, filing reports for “The Daily” from the front lines of the Russian invasion.
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
