Hot 97 (MediaCo)
Hot 97 and WBLS Apps
- Client
- Sector
- Media
- What we did
- iOS and Android app development, live chat service, and push notifications
Bringing the live show to the phone.
The challenge
Hot 97 is New York's hip hop radio station, and its audience follows the DJs and talent all day, on air and online. Much of that attention lived on other platforms. MediaCo wanted listeners in an app it owns, with a mobile experience as live as the broadcast, and the same for its sister station WBLS.
The build
Native iOS and Android apps, with Hot 97 and WBLS built from one shared codebase. Listeners stream live radio, watch video with pre-roll ads and auto-play, read articles, enter contests and sign in with a profile and phone verification.
When a DJ opens a live chat, the app shows it right away and sends a push notification. A video chat also starts the live video channel, and closing the chat stops it. Notifications open the right screen in the app.
Firebase powers the push notifications and in-app settings, and the chat service runs on AWS.
The result
The apps are designed to bring listeners into the show as it happens, with a goal of a 20% increase in live DJ and listener engagement. Chat alerts call listeners back when a DJ goes live, and the plan was to track video watches, sessions per week and installs. One shared codebase lets MediaCo bring new features to both stations together.
Project images
Questions about this project
What is the Hot 97 app?
A mobile app for iOS and Android with live radio, video, articles, contests and live chat with DJs and talent.
What did Shockoe do for MediaCo?
Shockoe built the iOS and Android apps for Hot 97 and WBLS, plus the chat service behind them.
How does live chat work?
A DJ opens a chat room, the app shows it and sends a push notification, and listeners join in real time.
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