KTRU available via iHeartRadio

Rice University’s student-run KTRU was added this week to iHeartRadio, Clear Channel Media’s free digital radio service, and is now available via the iHeartRadio app.

IHeartRadio offers more than 800 broadcast radio and commercial-free digital-only stations from 150 cities, plus the ability to create custom radio stations. The service recently added 14 college radio stations to its offerings and plans to add more in the future.

“We’re very excited that KTRU is one of the first college radio stations to be added to iHeartRadio,” said Station Manager Nick Ryder. “It’s the most popular free broadcast radio app on the iPhone and Android markets. This service will allow KTRU to reach listeners all over the country and expand the audience for our unique local and eclectic programming.”

“Bringing college radio stations to iHeartRadio is a great source of local and independent programming that offers our users a more diverse listening experience and also provides listeners new opportunities for music, news and sports exposure and discovery,” said John Hogan, president and CEO of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. “Many of our top on-air personalities started their radio careers at college radio stations, and we are glad to give back by providing these great college stations with an industry-leading national distribution platform — iHeartRadio.”

The inclusion on iHeartRadio complements KTRU’s other recent efforts to expand the audience for its webcasts, which can be heard at http://www.ktru.org. For listeners with smartphones and other mobile devices, the station has new iPhone and Android apps available for free download. KTRU can also be heard locally on 90.1-HD2 through a lease with KPFT. The station has created a new Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ktruriceradio and welcomes followers on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KTRU.