In 1997, The World began producing a segment entitled "Global Hit", highlighting musicians and musical trends in the global news context.[2]
Lisa Mullins hosted The World from 1998 to 2013. Since 2010, Werman has stepped in for Mullins as host. Beginning in 2013, he has served as the show's full-time host.[3]
On April 14, 2020, the BBC announced it would end its production partnership on The World effectively July 1; the announcement caused WAMU in Washington, D.C. to move the show back to its 8 p.m. timeslot.[4] The last episode of Boston Calling aired on June 27.[5]
In July 2022, Werman began producing The World from the University of California, San Diego to help develop the university's Democracy Lab.[6] As of June 2023, he broadcasts two days a week from the Department of Communication Social Sciences Research building.[7]
On December 5th, 2023 it was announced that The World reporter Carolyn Beeler would join Werman as the program's co-host. Beeler joined The World as a reporter in 2015 and at the time of her becoming co-host, she oversaw the show's environmental coverage. [8]
Production
The World is produced from the Nan and Bill Harris Studios at the WGBH building in Boston, Massachusetts.[9] The show airs on over 300 public radio stations and has 2.5 million weekly listeners.[4] Additionally, portions of The World aired in the United Kingdom as Boston Calling until 2020 and in whole in Canada through CBC Radio One.[5][10]
The theme music of The World was produced by Eric Goldberg, who received the gig in 1995. In February 2015, the theme was redone to introduce a more contemporary sound with Marco Werman's new role.[1] The current theme was written by Ned Porter.[11]