WNYC is one of 90 public radio stations to launch National Public Radio's first broadcast in 1971. Director Seymour N. Siegel wrote in the WNYC Program Guide at the time
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"National Public Radio, which was organized in 1969 as the radio operational instrument for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, is expected to commence interconnected network operations in May. Your City station is preparing to carry the programs of the noncommercial public network. The first offering will be a magazine type program to be known as All Things Considered… Details of the content of this first effort have not been precisely defined but it is expected that a great breadth of subject matter which will advance the art and enjoyment of the sound medium will be presented. The program will deal with widely diverse subjects and will draw on poetry, plays, films, and musical performances. The network is expected to provide live coverage of speakers at the National Press Club in the nation's capitol and the actual coverage of congressional hearings and other special events as they occur. It is hoped that this new resource will add to WNYC-FM's program schedule a means of regular national originations in the public adventure."