WXJM Gets Modern

Last week, James Madison's own student run college radio station, WXJM, released their first mobile application for Apple products. WXJM's new free application allows listeners to stream the station live on their iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.

The application itself is quite simple and easy to use. After it is activated, there is a “Play” button you click to begin streaming the station, and a “Pause” button that terminates the streaming. Under the buttons, gives a little background information on the station’s twenty year history, what types of genres and programs are aired, and where the station is located.

Courtesy of wxjm.org

Now, applications and online streaming of music is not a new concept, and the application itself is not too fancy, but this is a big deal within the college radio station market.

College radio stations across the country cater to college students, hipsters and general listeners by laying nothing but underrepresented music, or music that is not signed to a major label, or not signed to a label at all. Because these stations do not play popular music that is heard all over Top 40 stations, their presence on campuses is not widely recognized.

As college stations begin to dwindle, WXJM appears to be alive and well, by marketing themselves in new, diverse ways. This application is allowing a wider audience to connect and listen from anywhere with WiFi, 3G or 4G services. Parker Girard, WXJM’s current General Manager believed that this application will move the station ahead in the digital age, and create a more connected and informed community.

The folks at WXJM appear to be keeping up with the times and finding new, creative ways to broadcast their music, and to promote the wonderful aspects that college stations have to offer the general public.

-MM