# WBGO — user reviews > 100 indexed App Store user reviews of WBGO by NEWARK PUBLIC RADIO, INC, rated 3.00/5 from 61 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wbgo/id354679755/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wbgo/id354679755.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 21 · 4★ 3 · 3★ 4 · 2★ 7 · 1★ 21 ## Newest reviews (15 of 100) ### 2/5 — Improved but repetitive and commercial *2026-07-14, version 12.0.3* I am one of those listeners that has been listening to WBGO since the very beginning. Growing up with the idea of publicly funded media was intrinsic to the fabric of this country’s culture. Times have changed and with the apocalyptic rise of the lackluster, unimaginative and politically motivated right wing in this country dulling our democracy and the acceptance of art as an essential component to our existence, I understand that there is a need to rethink raising revenue to fund the station’s activities but this is the best we can do?? How many more Capital One commercials on this “commercial free” media do we have to swallow? Sorry, BGO. You represent mostly the best in musical imagination and performance but the programming (which includes the commercial breaks) has become repetitive and boring which seems to have coincided with the inclusion of these commercial breaks. This music known as jazz is far more wide ranging and potent than what you are airing. ### 4/5 — Love That Jazz26 *2026-07-07, version 12.0.3* Clear and brief instructions on how to quickly locate previous shows is needed. (ex: Night Byrds; Singers Unlimited etc) ### 3/5 — Things ain’t what they used to be *2025-10-16, version 8.30.51* My review is in so much for the app as it is for the station. Wow this station used to play interrupted great music 24 hours a day when I listen to it back in the 80s and 90s. Now they gotta throw in a bunch of goddamn funk and smooth jazz which totally ruins the flow of the music. Never thought I’d see the day when this station would dumb it down for the masses ### 2/5 — Sad App *2025-08-18, version 8.22.0* I’ve loved WBGO for a long time. But this app is rather unfortunate - very buggy, terrible layout and you cannot, I repeat, CANNOT play whatever program you want without hearing their dumb aircast-created 2 minute promo about how to connect to hear your favorite artists all in one place. This isn’t commercial radio so there shouldn’t be ads for the station every 5 seconds. ### 3/5 — WBGO App *2024-04-27, version 8.17.0* Very finicky. It was to be powered by AirKast. Couldn’t pull station up on phone and tried to delete and replace, for some reason can’t recapture app on phone. Station and music is great. I’ve been a supporter and helping to increase listeners but this has been a bad experience. Hopefully you guys can rectify from your end. ### 3/5 — Very Buggy! *2023-07-25, version 8.8.1* This new app that WBGO has to stream their station is very buggy and constantly crashes. Why changed from the old one is beyond me. it was easier and nicer to use, and I don’t remember it ever crashing. WBGO, a little help, please? ### 2/5 — Starting and stopping songs with this app with my AirPods *2022-11-19, version 8.1.6* For some reason, I can’t start or stop this app with my AirPods. It also doesn’t work when connected to a docking station in my mind in a face to the Apple Store and stop feature is not there. ### 1/5 — Read their new privacy policy, it's almost Orwellian *2022-10-22, version 8.1.6* They made a deal with the devil. Their new privacy policy seems to say that they own all the info on your connecting computer. Bye bye WBGO. It was great while it lasted. ### 1/5 — October 2022 upgrade functions poorly *2022-10-22, version 8.1.6* Easier to listen via the web browser. This new version is clunky, impossible to navigate and won’t work in landscape mode on the iPad. I deleted the app after much frustration. The prior version was simple and effective. ### 1/5 — Not agreeing to Airkast *2022-10-22, version 8.1.6* Recently became a sustaining member. Not happy with this new Airkast partnership. Loved the old app especially the sleep option. Hope I can find that option when playing thru the website. Please get rid of Airkast. ### 1/5 — Terrible “Update” *2022-10-18* The new app seems more interested in everything but the smooth continuous play of the on air content. I’ve been using the app since it was introduced several years ago and a listener since WBGO was “born”. Emphasis now seems to be on push content and things like social media. Partnership with Airkast is wrong move. I’ve gone back to listening via my browser on iPhone and iPad. Can we get a rollback? ### 1/5 — New App October 2022 *2022-10-12, version 8.1.5* How do we access the HD-2 stream from the app? And what’s with this overly long lack of privacy notice? ### 1/5 — New App *2022-10-07, version 8.1.5* Love the new look.Love WBGO. BUT the “accept” tap/button on the terms page does not work. I’m stuck on your “Privacy Policy” page. The “Cancel” tap works….that’s not good. Tried this 7:30 in the morning and waited until 6:00 in the evening and it still doesn’t work. Guess I’ll delete app. Hope you can fix this soon! ### 1/5 — Invasion of privacy/waiving your rights *2022-10-04, version 8.1.5* During a time when invasion of privacy has become of great importance, the new included 22 page AirKast terms and user agreement for the WBGO app, casts user privacy to the wind. Users in California are expected to WAIVE their rights. WBGO needs to reevaluate their partnership with AirKast. I feel using this app will seriously invade my privacy. There are several other apps a party can use to access online radio stations. ### 1/5 — LATIN JAZZ AND RHYTHM REVIEW *2022-10-04, version 8.1.5* I DONT CARE FOR EITHER ITS TOO BAD MORE SMOOTH JAZZ ISNT PLAYED ALL DAY THE WAY CD 101.9 USED TO PLAY IT WAS A MUCH BETTER STATION A COOL STATION NOT LIKE WBGO WHO TRIES TO PLEASE EVERYONE I DONT SUPPORT IT ANYMORE ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Ads, ads, ads *2026-06-01, version 8.30.51* Nope. Not worth it. I’ll take my scratchy radio reception over having the music flow interrupted by advertising. C’mon folks, on public radio!? ### 1/5 — App simply doesn’t work *2025-07-29, version 8.22.0* The app was once very good. Then, I could listen for several minutes before being cut off, say from 30 down to 10 minutes. Now, the app fails to launch. Currently, I listen thru the WBGO website. ### 1/5 — Huh *2025-02-07, version 8.22.0* App no longer seems to connect. The connection seems to try but always fails so I am without my beloved WBGO ### 1/5 — Bring back the old app *2024-09-21, version 8.22.0* Several years in and this app still stops working after a few days. Temporary fix by deleting and reinstalling. Please just bring back the old app. It worked. ### 1/5 — Privacy! *2024-01-28, version 8.8.1* The WBGO privacy policy - with their partner AirKast - was reason enough for me to delete this otherwise OK app. You can listen to WBGO on Radio.Garden without having this invasion of privacy. ### 1/5 — Auto rotate *2023-08-15, version 8.8.1* Please make this app able to render in landscape mode for those devoted listeners with iPads docked at their desks. Thank you ### 1/5 — Jazz Is My Life! *2023-02-09, version 8.1.6* I usually live streamed via the web and lately encountered some transmissions issues (which they admitted to). So I tried the app on my phone and listened to jazz all night without any problems here in Manila. Just downloaded the app to my iPad. I was very happy! Three months later the app is suddenly shutting off after 2 minutes. I’ve reloaded the app on both my iPhone and iPad but it doesn’t help. I’m changing the rating from 5 stars to 1 in hopes that it might get better. Now I’m frustrated and not happy at all. ### 1/5 — Airkast App is Awful *2023-02-04, version 8.1.6* The switch to the Airkast app has been terrible. The volume level between dj talk and a song is very inconsistent. Sometimes soft than to loud. The app stops and starts often. The page navigation is not intuitive. I have reinstalled the app a few times with no changes. I have been a longtime online listening member and Airkast is a step backwards. Please rethink a new app. ### 1/5 — NO to Airkast *2023-01-28, version 8.1.6* Clicked on the app and was greeted by a long screed in tiny print from something called Airkast. The only thing I could make out on my phone screen was the part that read something like “agree to this or else”. I don’t agree. NO to Airkast. ### 1/5 — Bad Privacy Policy *2022-11-10, version 8.1.6* The privacy terms of the new app are unacceptable. Also, privacy is managed by AirKast, NOT Newark Public Radio, which is listed as the developer. Very misleading. I love wbgo but deleted the app and hope the station will reconsider its vendor. I see I’m not the only one. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Keeps getting better with time! *2026-07-09, version 12.0.3* Used to live in NYC, but moved south and discovered the WBGO app. It’s been my jazz lifeline! App has dramatically improved since Oct 2025, and even worked perfectly when abroad in Asia! I’m a big fan of the updates. Excited to keep using the app ### 5/5 — I love WBGO *2026-04-05, version 8.30.51* I have been listening to this station for 21 yrs and I am a loyal member ### 5/5 — Love You Guys Forreal!! *2025-02-07, version 8.22.0* Amazing Station and just found out you also got an app when i can get a good signal i love it and love ya'll and all the beautiful work time and effort put in to this amazing station ### 5/5 — Super *2024-02-17, version 8.17.0* This is my go- to station to stream. Excellent job on the app and website. Beautifully executed. ### 5/5 — Jazz Is My Life! *2022-10-18, version 8.1.6* I usually live streamed via the web and lately encountered some transmissions issues (which they admitted to). So I tried the app on my phone and listened to jazz all night without any problems here in Manila. Just downloaded the app to my iPad. I’m very happy! ### 5/5 — A truly must•have app! *2022-08-27, version 4.5.26* I first listened to WBGO when i came across it while on a drive from central NJ to Boston area, on the near-NYC portion of the trip. What a godsend! That was some 15 years ago; while my life has certainly changed in that time, i'm Very Happy to once again have WBGO to listen to, particularly without the 5 hour drive ;-) ### 5/5 — The Best Jazz Station *2022-08-08, version 4.5.26* This is my go to Jazz Station. ### 5/5 — Just the station I was looking for *2022-07-21, version 4.5.26* I love the mix of music and information available on the app. More than other station apps. ### 5/5 — 21st Century tech *2022-07-10, version 4.5.26* I’ve listened to this station since I was a teenager in NYC and my home stereo is only tuned to it but I don’t play it often since everything is now digital. But I finally loaded the app on my phone and I play it on the go even more now. I just love having it on my phone now and I can Bluetooth it on my speakers outside. ### 5/5 — I love the station *2022-06-22, version 4.5.26* My regular hotel in NYC always plays WBGO at the cozy lounge. I am missing NYC, and this app is saving me. Great radio station, and handy app. What else could I demand? --- *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 2026-09-03.*