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WBEZ

WBEZ

Chicago's NPR News Station

623 ratings
123 reviews
With Ads
🎬 Entertainment
📡 News
Free
With Ads

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • December 20, 2012
  • May 1, 2026

Features

Developer

Chicago Public Media, Inc.
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About

Listen to Chicago's NPR news station live or on-demand. Access local and national news, podcasts, and investigative journalism from WBEZ and its partners. Catch up on missed shows with rewind functionality.

✓Live radio streaming
✓On-demand audio features
✓Podcast library
✓Rewind live shows
✓Curated daily stories
✓Investigative journalism
Show original description

What users say

Summarized from real user reviews of WBEZ. Based on 623 reviews and a 4.7/5 average, it highlights the 6 positives and 5 negatives reviewers mention most about this News app.

Positive things

  • 🚀Easy access to live and on-demand content
  • 👍Convenient listening experience
  • 🌐Accessible from anywhere
  • 🗞️Comprehensive news coverage
  • 🎧High-quality audio
  • 📚Diverse programming

Negative things

  • 🐛Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🔁Ads interrupting playback
  • 🔍Confusing navigation and UI
  • ⏱️Playback issues (freezing, skipping)
  • 🔋High battery consumption
See all reviews

What's New in WBEZ

9.3.1

May 1, 2026

- Upgrade Dependencies - Security Updates - Remove Top Stories section of browse page

More

User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Favorite NPR App

Easily searchable & friendly to navigate. Can find - catch up - & explore favorite programs w/ one hand free to do the things you love to do. I’m a loyal & proud out of state donor to WBEZ.
hklebesadelhklebesadel

Making news accessible

Radio is the best way for me to get the news! I love being able to listen to my favorite segments at the times of day that work for me.
Sage136Sage136

Great app

I listen every day and it always works flawlessly.
DiekmisterDiekmister

Love WBEZ

Keeps me aware of the news here at home and abroad. Educational with inspiring stories, arts coverage, and the current coverage needed to be a good citizen is all right here.
Lee Bird 1981Lee Bird 1981

Public media matters

This is a vital and amazing resource.
BurchpBurchp
See 118 more reviews

Developer apps

Vocalo
Vocalo

by Chicago Public Media, Inc.

🎵 Music

(42)

Free
See developer apps

User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

4 issues

App crashing on launch

Bug

Streaming issues on poor internet connections

Bug

Push notifications causing app to freeze

Bug

Inconsistent behavior when switching between audio sources

Bug
✨

Requested Features

5 requests

Improved search and content discovery

Feature

Sleep timer functionality

Feature

Ability to resume playback from where left off

Feature

CarPlay and Bluetooth speaker support

Feature

More granular access to local news

Feature

FAQ

What does the WBEZ app do?

The WBEZ app allows you to listen to Chicago's NPR news station live, on-demand, and through podcasts. It provides access to local, national, and international news, investigative journalism, and cultural reporting from WBEZ and its partners like NPR and BBC.

What are the key features of the WBEZ app?

Key features include live radio streaming, on-demand audio content, a library of podcasts, the ability to rewind live shows to catch up on missed segments, and curated daily stories from the WBEZ newsroom. You can also discover popular shows from WBEZ and its partners.

Is the WBEZ app free to use?

Yes, the WBEZ app is free to download and use. As a listener-supported public media station, WBEZ relies on donations. The app does include advertisements to support its operations.

What kind of content can I find on the WBEZ app?

You can find a wide range of content including live news broadcasts, on-demand audio features, and popular podcasts. This includes original WBEZ Chicago programming, shows from partners like NPR and BBC, investigative journalism, cultural reporting, and news headlines.

Who is the WBEZ app for?

The WBEZ app is designed for anyone interested in staying informed about Chicago news, national and international news, and enjoying high-quality audio storytelling. It's particularly suited for fans of NPR programming and public radio.