Bob Edwards, who recently was removed as host of National Public Radio's Morning Edition after nearly a quarter-century on the job, is leaving NPR to start a new morning show for distribution on satellite radio.

Edwards' new program will be distributed through the XM Satellite Radio system, a fee-based, commercial-free digital provider, NPR reported Wednesday.

His departure from NPR - which he joined in 1974, its third year of existence - wasn't unexpected. On a publicity tour since early May to promote his latest book, Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism, he said last week that he was considering a number of job offers.

Edwards was host of Morning Edition - a daily program offering news, commentary and coverage of arts and sports - from its start in 1979 until April 30, when he was reassigned as an NPR senior correspondent. The change, explained by NPR management as an effort to refresh the broadcast, infuriated many of its listeners, who total 13 million each week.