US public radio app guide: find stations by city

Is NPR one radio station?

NPR programmes are carried by member stations, and the same programme does not play at the same local time everywhere. A network programme stream and a local station stream can therefore give you different listening experiences.

In English Radio you may see NPR 24 Hours alongside separately named stations such as WBUR 90.9 FM and WNYC 93.9FM. Pick a local station when the place matters to you; check the current schedule when a particular programme matters more.

What kinds of programmes can I hear?

Morning Edition

A news magazine with reporting, interviews and context. Look up the carrying station’s schedule before expecting it live.

All Things Considered

News and feature reporting with room for a story beyond its headline.

Local reporting and conversations

A member station can connect national stories with the city or region it serves. That mix is a reason to choose a station rather than only a network name.

Programme examples describe the format. They do not promise that an episode is playing now or that its archive is included in English Radio.

Which public radio station should I try by city?

Search the station name or call sign in English Radio. The broadcaster links help you check the current schedule or find its own live player.

Boston · WBUR 90.9 FM

News and interviews. Look for Here & Now for national stories and conversations. WBUR schedule

New York City · WNYC 93.9FM

Local news and conversations. The Brian Lehrer Show takes calls on local and national issues. WNYC official site

Chicago · WBEZ 91.5 FM

Chicago-area news and reporting on local government, education, and culture. WBEZ official site

San Diego · KPBS-FM

San Diego news and interviews, including regional reporting on KPBS Midday Edition. KPBS Radio

Oregon · OPB Radio

Oregon and Pacific Northwest news and public affairs. OPB official site

For another perspective on an international story, compare a US station with BBC World Service. See more live news stations.

Can public radio help with American English or TOEFL?

Interviews can provide practice in following questions, answers and supporting examples. Reported features can help you listen for cause and effect. This is supplementary exposure to natural speech; broadcasts are not TOEFL lessons and do not reproduce every test task.

Choose a familiar subject first. After a short segment, explain the main point and one supporting detail. For a more structured routine and the current test context, use our TOEFL listening guide. For practice outside test prep, try the American English listening exercise for daily life.

How do I find a station in the app?

1. Open English Radio on iPhone or Android and go to the Radio tab.
2. Use station search where available and enter a call sign such as WBEZ. You can also browse the station categories.
3. Check the station name and tap Play. To hear another city, return to the station list and choose another call sign.

Live radio needs an internet connection and joins the broadcast in progress. Stream availability can vary by location. For a particular show, use the broadcaster's schedule and check its time zone. Look on the broadcaster's official site for an episode you missed.

Use the NPR app for NPR’s own listening experience. Use the English Radio station list when you want to move between different cities and broadcasters.