[1] At time of its last broadcast, the program had approximately 241 carrying stations across the country, including markets in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, Portland, Boston, and more.

After Headlee left, Hockenberry remained the solo host for the next five years; he was eventually replaced by Tanzina Vega.

[3][4] The program's stated intent was to deliver "national and international news and cultural stories through a conversational and unprecedented personality-driven format.

The web presence of the program allows listeners to respond immediately to news and participate in editorial decision-making, as well as building a significant online community around the content.

[23][24][25][26] However, a 2012 study noted that the program had succeeded in attracting a more diverse audience, with African American listenership exceeding public radio averages by 60%.

In 2011, The Takeaway dismissed part-time freelancer Caitlin Curran, after she had participated in the Occupy Wall Street protests.

[28] On December 1, 2017, New York magazine published journalist Suki Kim's story alleging that John Hockenberry had created a toxic work environment for his co-hosts and lower-level co-workers and had even crossed the line of sexual harassment.

"[30] In the wake of these revelations former host Adaora Udoji published an editorial in U.S. online edition of The Guardian, describing her experience as "an excruciating, painful ride that would haunt me nearly 10 years later.

"[31] Five days after the Hockenberry story was published in New York magazine, WNYC suspended two of their best known hosts, Leonard Lopate and Jonathan Schwartz pending investigations into "inappropriate conduct".

WNYC cited the expensive nature of producing a daily radio program, as well as a decline in the listening audience.

Members of the NYPR employees' union countered by pointing out that executive compensation had remained completely intact at an estimated $1.85 million.