National Public Radio announced on Wednesday that it would cut approximately 7 percent of its personnel and cancel two weekday programs as a result of a $23 million budget shortfall.

In spite of the fact that NPR managed to lure a near-record audience of 26.4 million listeners a week, the network will cut 64 jobs of its work force of 889, including 22 workers at the axed programs, “Day to Day” and “News & Notes,” which are scheduled to end on March 20, six reporters and correspondents, as well as one digital media post.

Besides the dismissals, NPR will not be filling 21 open positions.

Expenses in reporting, production, communications, administration, station services and travel will be cut as well, while NPR will bring into play its operating reserves in an attempt to compensate for the major revenue deficit, thus leaving it with estimated earnings of $145 million in the fiscal year ending next September.

NPR was expecting a $2 million deficit when the financial plan was approved in July and, because of the economic deceleration, the company canceled the morning show “The Bryant Park Project.”

With the economy worsening, corporate sponsorships above all have decreased abruptly, barely advancing toward a projected $33 million for the year rather than the budgeted $47 million, according to NPR executives.

Dennis L. Haarsager, NPR’s interim president and chief executive, informed reporters that the figures represented “the basement” and that the company hoped to surpass the mark. “But we have to plan for that,” he added.

The projected revenue from external funding, as well as from other payments, was reduced by $4 million for the year, to an estimated $15 million, since organizations and well-off individuals dealt with less significant investment grosses, explained Dana Davis Rehm, NPR’s senior vice president for strategy and partnerships.

NPR’s reductions will have a strong impact particularly on studios in Culver City, California, also known as NPR West, where the two axed shows stem from. Nevertheless, Dennis Haarsager said that NPR West would continue to be the base for “Morning Edition” co-anchor Renee Montagne and for approximately 30 other members of staff.

According to Mr. Haarsager, the network chose to cancel the two programs because their loss appeared to have minor influence on the audience. In addition, NPR would thus be able to avoid imposing “a thousand cuts” in other domains.

“Day to Day,” a show currently hosted by Madeleine Brand, draws almost two million listeners each week, compared to the 13 million weekly listeners of “Morning Edition.”

On the other hand, “News & Notes,” a show that concentrates on issues affecting African-Americans, is far from reaching the success of “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”