# KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM — user reviews > 76 indexed App Store user reviews of KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM by Bonneville International, rated 3.20/5 from 72 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kiro-newsradio-973-fm/id573660323/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kiro-newsradio-973-fm/id573660323.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 34 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 5 · 2★ 5 · 1★ 26 ## What do users think of KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Good content and personalities - 👍 Can listen live and to podcasts - 👍 Some users find it simple and effective - 👍 Background audio playback works for some **Cons** - 🐛 App crashes frequently - 🐛 Streaming stops randomly - 🐛 Requires account/registration - 🐛 Excessive ads - 🐛 Battery drain - 🐛 Poor streaming quality/interruptions - 🐛 Long loading times - 🐛 Geolocation restrictions - 🐛 Inconsistent podcast updates - 🐛 Difficult to use while driving **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes constantly - Streaming stops randomly - App won't open - Playback errors - Podcasts don't show up or refresh - API load errors - App closes unexpectedly - Double plays commercials - Intro ad won't stop - App freezes - Interface issues causing no playback - Streaming issues on cellular - App stops when receiving notifications - Cannot search audio within a podcast - Recent update broke functionality - Geolocation restrictions for live games **Most requested features** - Allow listening without an account - Improve podcast refresh rate - Fix background listening issues - Allow pausing without ads - Remember playback position - Improve search functionality for podcasts - Fix UI for easier use on mobile - Remove video ads - Allow skipping intro ads - Fix API load errors - Allow background listening ## Newest reviews (14 of 76) ### 2/5 — Registration Hassle *2023-05-12* Not happy about the new registration requirement and even more unhappy that a separate registration is required for Seattle Sports 710am. It’s the same company! I’ve deleted the Seattle Sports app and will delete KIRO when I find a different stream for local news. **Developer response:** We appreciate your feedback. You are welcome to listen through our website without registering. However, we hope you’ll take just a minute to answer a few basic questions and unlock an improved listening experience on the app. -The Development Team ### 1/5 — Keep it streaming *2023-04-15* I hate how it stops every 30mins i listen to Howard all the time and they keep going maybe old maybe new but I don’t have to wake up and deal with it. **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback, I think I'm Blocked. We appreciate it. We're always working to improve the user experience. -The Development Team ### 1/5 — Latest update kills battery *2022-11-04* Latest update causes high battery usage on iPhone. Deleted! ### 1/5 — Don’t bother *2022-10-23, version 8.1.7* WTH? Downloaded to listen to the Seahawks. App NEVER opens. Ever. Believe me I didn’t give up. Whole game I kept trying. Nope. Worse than frustrating. 0 stars if I could give it… 🤮 ### 1/5 — Please redesign this app! *2022-06-27, version 8.1.7* This app continually stops playing and closes out. Doesn’t matter if I’m connected to Wifi or 5G. So frustrating! If you care about your listeners, please invest in quality app devepment. ### 1/5 — Terrible design…no background listening *2022-04-24, version 8.1.5* Basic miss…have to have open to listen to it. Can’t background it. Unbelievable. ### 1/5 — Works half the time! *2022-04-18, version 8.1.5* Everytime I want to listen to dori Monson show, this app takes all day to open or work at all! It’s a miracle at all if I get to listen to anything on this terrible app. It dose not matter if your on a good network like Verizon or at home using WIFI it won’t work. It just won’t work. I’m sad now.. please fix it and let me annoy the KIRO radio so I can have a fruitful day.. ### 1/5 — It’s buggy *2022-03-18, version 8.1.5* Every minute or so it would not stream. So I would need to close and open again. Plus super long commercials that you have to wait 30 seconds or more only to freeze. To make it worse once it works most of the time the DJ’s are on commercial break which takes 5-10 minutes longer. What!??? ### 1/5 — Extremely poor streaming *2021-11-09, version 8.1.5* Love most of their programming, unless I have full 5G this app cuts out more than it plays, even with good service this app consistently cuts out and is super slow to start up, most of the time it cuts out right during the good parts, please fix so I can stream seamlessly ### 1/5 — Worst Streaming App In the World *2021-09-29, version 8.1.5* After their most recent update it actually doesn’t work at all. According to an App coding buddy of mine, they inserted a penalty function that kicks you out if you mute the sound during commercials forcing you to log in again. I asked why do that and he said it’s for ratings. The record every log in to the App as a new unique listener. ### 1/5 — Horrible *2021-09-15, version 8.1.5* I don’t know what happened to this app in the last week, but if you are listening to a show on demand & pause it for ANY reason (i.e., an earbud falls out, you have to take a call, you just need to PAUSE it) the 30 second ad with Curly & his glasses come on. I understand advertising, but do YOU understand pausing? I want to boycott K2 Vision just because of this. Ridiculous. ### 1/5 — Won’t load or stay on *2021-09-07, version 8.1.5* This app needs some serious attention. It doesn’t even stay on anymore. It freezes when I try to use listen to it, double plays commercials, and is just unlistenable now. Please fix this soon. ### 2/5 — Bad app *2021-09-06, version 8.1.5* Great content but app is clunky and glitchy ### 3/5 — App is not working *2021-09-05, version 8.1.5* I love to listen to my favorite radio shows with the app on my phone. I listen live, but mostly to podcasts. The app stopped working last night and is still not working 14 hours later. It opens, but closes. I have deleted it and reloaded with no success. It won’t work on my table or husband’s phone either. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — What’s the point? *2026-02-08* I downloaded the app to listen to the Super Bowl in a different state but the app restricts you from listening to the game if your more then 100 miles out from lumen field. Why?? What’s the fricken point of the app? Also you now have creat an account just to use the app. Waste of time bs. **Developer response:** Hello MontanaJoe91, The NFL restricts streaming outside of markets. You're able to listen to the stream without registering at seattlesports.com. - App Development Team ### 1/5 — Shouldn’t need account to tune in. *2025-02-03* I’ll just turn on the radio **Developer response:** Thanks for the feedback, Yadontwannaknow. You're welcome to listen through our website without registering. However, we hope you’ll take just a minute to answer a few basic questions and unlock an improved listening experience on the app. - The App Development Team ### 1/5 — Worst App in the App Store *2024-01-19* Feels like it was developed by first time app developers. 1. 15 second ad roll every time the app opens. Which is often because it crashes often. 2. Crashes all the time. Used to be able to switch to video when the player stopped streaming. But when you switch back to audio. It crashes. 3. Randomly stops playing. 4. Switch to the podcasts for most of the content but so many ads. Down hill is the only way this app goes. **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback, BigveggiesNoWhammy. We appreciate it. We're always working to improve the user experience. -The Development Team ### 1/5 — Why sign up to listen to the radio?! *2023-12-22* I don’t need all fancy functions! **Developer response:** By registering, you’ll be able to ‘favorite’ shows within the app, giving you quick access to your favorite shows on the home screen. You can also save your place when listening to podcasts and on-demand content. And long pressing on shows and podcasts will give you quicks access to ‘favoriting’ shows, sharing episodes, and managing your in-progress listening. - The Development Team ### 1/5 — Numb skulls require you to register now *2023-11-22* I stopped using this app when these privacy leaches decided you must give up your data to hear their content. Imagine turning on your car radio and being forced to share your info? No thanks. **Developer response:** We appreciate your feedback. You are welcome to listen through our website without registering. However, we hope you’ll take just a minute to answer a few basic questions and unlock an improved listening experience on the app. - The App Development Team ### 1/5 — one star is too many *2023-10-03* I just wanted to listen to the radio on my phone. I had to sign up, provide a password, and confirm by responding to an email. The email never came. I kept trying. No email. Yes, my email address was correct. What are they trying to protect that they frustrate potential listeners? **Developer response:** Thank you for reaching out, HPowell. Let us know if we can help sort out verification. digital@bonneville.com -The Development Team ### 1/5 — Too invasive for radio streaming *2023-10-03* Used to just download and listen… not a fan of ur nosy requirements **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback. You can continue to listen through our website without having to register. However, to enjoy the improved listening experience on our free app, you will be required to register. -The Development Team ### 1/5 — App crashes constantly *2023-07-25* This app used to be great but now only streams like a minute or so and just suddenly stops. Not happy at all. The 710 Sports version crashes too. I can’t listen to Mariners games anymore due to this. Very frustrating! It doesn’t matter how good of a connection you have on WIFI or cellular. I have tried deleting app and reinstalling but doesn’t help. Yes my iPhone is up to date. Please fix! Thanks. BTW in leaving this review, there are no stars to select. **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback, PianoGuitar Man. We appreciate it. We're working to improve the user experience. -The Development Team ### 1/5 — App now requires a login, no thanks *2023-05-08* A buggy app that plays commercials frequently NOW requires a log in. Not worth the ‘free’. Deleting it right now. **Developer response:** We appreciate your feedback. You are welcome to listen through our website without registering. However, we hope you’ll take just a minute to answer a few basic questions and unlock an improved listening experience on the app. - The Development Team ### 1/5 — Privacy Concerns *2023-05-04* When the app upgraded I was now required to register, which at that point was not required. When I did click to register the app informed me that I was giving Bonneville permission to use my information. I promptly deleted this app. **Developer response:** By registering, you’ll be able to ‘favorite’ shows within the app, giving you quick access to your favorite shows on the home screen. You can also save your place when listening to podcasts and on-demand content. Long pressing on shows and podcasts will give you quick access to ‘favoriting’ shows and sharing episodes. More features are coming soon! -The Development Team ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Curley for President *2025-09-03* Curley, Joe, Andrew, Aaron and Nate the Great are top notch, best in class reporters, journalists,commentators, traffic reporters, educators, enthusiastic assets to the community, entertaining, hilarious fellas on the airwaves! Honorable mention to Spike O’Neill! Love him since the 90’z!!! What a career he’s had! I sincerely miss Jack Stine. I’m still bitter for some woke decisions that were made for the Spike Show. Jake’s cool, Dori grew him well! I believe letting Jack go was a lame excuse for holding the hand of some pansy who can’t handle fair debate and criticism. Jack’s way too brilliant for those political corporate games anyhow. I endorse Curley for President of the airwaves! XOXOXO **Developer response:** Thank you for the feedback, Tina. We will pass this along to the programming dept. - The App Development Team ### 5/5 — Love the new update *2023-01-18* Much simpler to use, really good changes were made in the latest update. I’ve been using it for podcasts and to listen live when I’m not in my car. **Developer response:** Thank you, grape_popsicle_girl! We appreciate your feedback. -The Development Team ### 5/5 — Much better *2022-11-11* This new version of the app is much cleaner than the previous. The audio stream is stable. I use it to listen to SMN and browse the news. Thank you! **Developer response:** Thank you, Chocraisin! We appreciate your feedback. -The Development Team ### 5/5 — Use it all the time! *2015-03-05, version 1.3.1* The app works great for listening to the KIRO radio while on the go. I haven't any issues with its performance, but in typically only use it for the radio so I can't speak for the rest of the features. ### 5/5 — Perfection *2014-01-08, version 1.3* Have not had any issues with the app. Simple and effective. It opens a lot of links to a web page from the main site for some things. But it does the job either way. As long as I can click PLAY and get my Jason Rantz show at night - I'm good! It's nice that the app runs the audio in the background while I use the phone for other things. ### 5/5 — Kiro radio App *2013-01-09* After dallying with first recording this show to a multitude of CDs then moved to podcast s this is brilliant and you can even record a message. Spot On Kiro but wot did you do to poor Dave Ross ### 4/5 — App not working *2021-09-07, version 8.1.5* The App itself is ok. You have to play commercials to make money, I get it. It’s annoying, but I hope everyone understands the necessity. I listen to KIRO live and through podcasts and the app lets me listen live without the radio. All day today (9/6/21), however, it’s been crashing. The broadcast plays for maybe 20 seconds, then either crashes itself or my phone. Please fix! ### 4/5 — When it works it's great *2017-01-31* That's just it...when it works it's great. Some serious streaming issues with this app. I have high speed internet and can watch HD videos without issue. Streaming the audio only is laggy and frustrating when it stops in the middle of news stories. Then there are the times it works and streams fine. I hope they fix the bugs. Before the updates it was better. Need to role this one back to when it worked. Looking forward to a new update folks. You have lots of listeners who want to hear the news. 2/1/17 Update: Just released an update and the playback was much better. No timing out or dropping out of audio as of yet. ### 3/5 — App crash problems *2023-05-07* When listening to the podcasts, or saved shows, the app crashes ALL the time! I’ve had 4-5 app crashes in a 1 hour episode (Hot Stove Society) regularly in the past month. Love Kiro, love Hot Stove. If the developers could get this resolved I would love to give you a 5. **Developer response:** Thank you for bringing this to our attention, alicia44. We appreciate it. We're always working to improve the user experience. -The Development Team ### 3/5 — Battery drainer- New Issue *2023-04-30, version 9.0.8* Love this app, but for the last few months, it runs my phone battery down FAST. After 15 minutes listening to live radio or podcast, my phone becomes very hot to the touch. Can’t seem to locate a way to report this to the App developers or to mynortheest.com, so leaving a review here. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*