# OPB News

> Northwest news, live radio, and multimedia content with personalized features. (iPhone/iPad app by Oregon Public Broadcasting.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opb-news/id596183142 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Oregon Public Broadcasting](https://appshunter.io/developer/456011220)
- Category: News
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 91 App Store ratings · 67 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 16 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-01-30
- Data updated: 2026-08-01
- Monetization: ad-supported
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opb-news/id596183142/reviews.md

## What is OPB News?

Stay up to date on the biggest and most important stories in the Northwest with the all-new OPB app. With a completely redesigned user experience, you can more seamlessly connect with OPB’s in-depth reporting, stream OPB Radio live 24/7, explore immersive image galleries and videos and enjoy new, more personalized app features. With the OPB app, you can:

- Easily browse the news stories about politics, arts, culture, the environment, education, business and so much more from OPB’s team of journalists and producers in Oregon and southern Washington.

- Live stream OPB Radio 24/7 and explore video and images of the people, places, events and issues shaping the Northwest.

- Discover all that OPB has to offer – from podcasts and digital features to OPB’s original series “Oregon Field Guide,” “Oregon Art Beat,” “Oregon Experience” and “Think Out Loud,™” along with OPB Radio and TV schedules.

- Enjoy a more personalized app experience: save stories for later, view your story history, and receive and manage push notifications on topics that interest you.

- Experience enhanced accessibility options including dark mode, adjustable text size and screen reader support.

## Key features

- In-depth news reporting
- Live radio streaming
- Image and video galleries
- Personalized story saving
- Push notifications
- Dark mode and adjustable text

## What do users think of OPB News?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy to navigate
- 👍 Good for reading news
- 👍 Reliable news source
- 👍 Clear organization
- 👍 Informative content
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 👍 Streamlined design
- 👍 Good video quality
- 👍 Accurate captions
- 👍 Balanced reporting
- 👍 Easy to save stories
- 👍 Customizable settings
- 👍 Not clickbait
- 👍 In-depth analysis
- 👍 Good story telling
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Well-organized
- 👍 Attractive presentation
- 👍 Great user interface
- 👍 Good audio quality
- 👍 Text size option
- 👍 Easy access to content
- 👍 Smooth live listening

**Cons**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Audio frequently drops
- 🐛 Stream stops playing
- 🐛 Unreliable streaming
- 🐛 App quits playing
- 🐛 Loads poorly
- 🐛 Stops after a minute
- 🐛 Drains battery fast
- 🐛 Glitchy operation
- 🐛 Difficult to manage driving
- 🐛 Stops playing after a few minutes
- 🐛 Crashes altogether
- 🐛 Plays only silence
- 🐛 Needs to be restarted
- 🐛 Unreliable pause button
- 🐛 Audio doesn't stop for calls
- 🐛 Audio doesn't stop for music
- 🐛 Stream stops on WiFi change
- 🐛 Stream stops on app switch
- 🐛 Sponsor message replays
- 🐛 Poorly designed
- 🐛 Not an app, just links
- 🐛 Comically bad
- 🐛 Prehistoric website style
- 🐛 Constantly needs restarted
- 🐛 Lost signal causes crash
- 🐛 Battery tethered to charger
- 🐛 Annoying obvious bugs
- 🐛 Play/pause controls not working
- 🐛 Audio cuts out
- 🐛 App needs rebooting
- 🐛 Fragile stream
- 🐛 Stream stops if app not on screen
- 🐛 Stream stops on WiFi to cellular transition
- 🐛 Force quit required
- 🐛 Negligence of mobile users
- 🐛 Stream cuts out frequently
- 🐛 Ad plays every time stream changes
- 🐛 Forced to use app
- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🐛 Stream hangs and resumes
- 🐛 Unlistenable in past versions
- 🐛 Sponsor message replays on cut out
- 🐛 Not as stable as NPR app
- 🐛 Silly OPB app

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes
- Audio drops
- Stream stops playing
- App quits playing
- Loads poorly
- Stops after a minute
- Drains battery fast
- Glitchy operation
- Play/pause controls not working on lock screen/quick access
- Audio doesn't stop for calls or music
- Stream stops on WiFi change
- Stream stops on app switch
- Sponsor message replays on cut out
- App needs to be restarted
- Lost signal causes crash
- Stream hangs and resumes
- Connectivity issues
- App crashes repeatedly
- Support ad comes on every time it starts up again

**Most requested features**

- Sleep mode/timer for audio
- Cross-platform synchronization for saved stories
- Search bar more prominent
- Ability to replay Morning Edition
- Fix stream integration on NPR app
- Make 'Listen Live' mean live
- Add a 'front page' for top news stories

## Recent user reviews (10 of 67)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opb-news/id596183142/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Reminder you can never get rid of!

*2026-01-04, version 4.0.16*

I deleted this app again probably forever.  I can never get rid of the reminder to go to the app and find out what it wants me to do. I cannot tie the me to the app for it to knowI am already a sustainer. 
It makes me so mad I’m ready give my money to someone else. The only thing I can think is that the only way to get rid of the reminder is to give them money through the app.
Done, done, done!

### 2/5 — What changed?

*2024-11-15, version 4.0.12*

I am listening on the app for the first time in a while and now I cannot use some other apps while listening to live stream! Specifically, play stops every time I open the Amazon app. I usually love using this OPB but now am very disappointed.

### 1/5 — Rarely works

*2024-05-21, version 4.0.9*

There is usually just a message that says, “Something Went Wrong”. Though perhaps that’s just their summary of the day’s news.

### 2/5 — Unreliable

*2023-08-22, version 4.0.3*

Loads poorly and audio frequently drops.

### 3/5 — Great for reading, not for streaming

*2023-04-01, version 4.0.2*

I am not always able to use the radio and rely often on streaming. The listen live function worked well for a period of time, but now the app regularly stops playing after a few minutes. Today it isn’t working at all. The sponsor message played, but then nothing else. It is frustrating. If all you are using the app for is reading the news, then it works fine.

### 1/5 — Useless. Crashes If it Streams At All

*2023-03-24, version 4.0.2*

Despite the recent update to improve “reliability,” the app either plays only silence after the initial buffering announcement completes or it crashes altogether after steaming for 30 seconds or a minute. Then you have to restart it to continue listening. I gave up & downloaded the app from an out-of-town station to listen to NPR programs.

### 3/5 — App needs work

*2023-03-23, version 4.0.2*

I am a regular listener of OPB. I rely on the OPB app for most of that listening. However, the app regularly quits playing after two minutes or so. This is not due to a weak Internet connection, other streaming apps have no problem. I also wish there was a way to put it on “sleep mode” so I could have a timer for half an hour. Grateful to have a streaming service for my favorite local radio station, but it could really use some work. I have found I prefer the NPR One app

### 1/5 — Works for one minute

*2023-03-22, version 4.0.2*

This app is unreliable. It starts with an ad (ok) works for a minute or two, then simply stops and goes away. Try the KLCC app or TuneIn for more reliable access to PBS.

### 3/5 — Glitchy

*2023-03-21, version 4.0.2*

App is great when it works – often shuts down for no reason. Difficult to manage when driving. Prefer to use in car over radio because radio is difficult to tune in certain areas. other NPR radio apps don’t seem to have this issue. Needs bug fixes.

### 2/5 — Quits on its own

*2023-01-20, version 4.0.1*

This app would be great, except for the fact that it quits itself every 30 seconds. Infuriating!

## Frequently asked questions about OPB News

### What kind of news does this app cover?

The app covers a wide range of news stories focusing on politics, arts, culture, the environment, education, and business. It features in-depth reporting from journalists and producers specifically covering Oregon and southern Washington.

### Can I listen to radio through this app?

Yes, you can live stream OPB Radio 24/7 directly through the app. This allows you to stay connected with their programming wherever you are.

### Is this app free to use?

The app is free to download and use. However, it does display advertisements to support its operations.

### What are the personalization features?

The app offers personalized features such as the ability to save stories for later reading, view your story history, and receive and manage push notifications for topics that interest you.

### Does the app have accessibility options?

Yes, the app includes enhanced accessibility options. These features include a dark mode for easier viewing, adjustable text sizes, and support for screen readers.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.0.16 — 2025-07-16

Better text support.

### 4.0.15 — 2025-05-15

Better support for charts and graphs.

### 4.0.14 — 2025-01-24

Article rendering improvements.

### 4.0.13 — 2025-01-17

Article rendering improvements.

### 4.0.12 — 2024-10-01

Layout improvements

## Apps similar to OPB News

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Oregonlive.com](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oregonlivecom/id394812078) | 4.3 (10,050) | Free | News |
| [KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kuow-puget-sound-public-radio/id450248556) | 4.6 (356) | Free | News |
| [Portland, Oregon News from KGW](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/portland-oregon-news-from-kgw/id1453203194) | 4.7 (17,195) | Free | News |
| [FOX 12 Oregon \| News & Weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fox-12-oregon-news-and-weather/id547732525) | 4.5 (4,444) | Free | News |
| [The Register-Guard News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-register-guard-news/id1428049546) | 3.6 (379) | Free | News |
| [KATU News Portland](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/katu-news-portland/id433508658) | 4.4 (95) | Free | News |

## More apps by Oregon Public Broadcasting

- [KMHD Jazz Radio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kmhd-jazz-radio/id373087553)

All apps by Oregon Public Broadcasting: https://appshunter.io/developer/456011220

## Related topics

[oregon news](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/oregon-news) · [portland news](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/portland-news) · [omb](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/omb)

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*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 2026-08-01.*