Student-run WTBU steps into the 21st century with global accessibility

WTBU released its very own iPhone/iTouch application late Friday night. The app will help keep WTBU at the forefront of radio broadcasting.

Designed by staffer and former Executive Board member John Schwartz, a Journalism major in BU’s College of Communications, the app has been highly anticipated this semester, and WTBU is excited to finally introduce it to the BU campus.

Already the first college radio station to stream online, WTBU has branched out like most other stations to an official website, twitter and facebook page. The app gives easy access to all of these outlets, as well as the award-winning sports stream, news stories and, for iPhones, a one-touch calling option.

The main appeal is the app’s ability to provide the radio stream all over campus, Boston and the world, provided there is a 3G or wifi connection. General Manager Sarah J Berg states that “This app is making WTBU much more portable for its listeners. At a campus where so few of us listen to the radio in cars, it's great to be able to take the WTBU stream with us on the go. I expect our listenership to go up drastically once the word of the iPhone app gets out!”

Eventually, WTBU hopes to have a spot on the app for advertisers and promotion for the programming and live shows and events, including the upcoming fundraiser show at the Great Scott on April 18th. Schwartz has big plans for the app, and is working on showing the name of the show currently streaming and the song title and artist. “Even though the app works on the iPad,” says Schwartz, “I'm in the process right now of making an app specifically for the iPad.”

Click here to open the iTunes App Store and download the iPhone/iPod app today!

-Tara Jayakar