Customer Reviews (500)

frenchiekniwsbest • 2025-03-09T19:30:27-07:00

The best information and guests and hosts any where. A no nonsense look where all topics of the unusual and uncovered by the mainstream are spoken with truth.

Anthonyluc • 2025-03-05T15:51:49-07:00

I’m a coast insider and absolutely enjoy this show on so many levels. A big thank you to everyone that makes this show possible!!!

DPRLR • 2025-02-24T07:09:16-07:00

What an amazing show! I’ve been listening for decades and being a Coast to Coast insider gives me unlimited access regardless of connectivity. George Noory is a gentleman and treats his guest and callers like family. It’s always an interesting show and the decorum is refreshing. I’m hooked for life!

Summary of Key Insights

The Coast to Coast AM Insider app enjoys a generally positive sentiment, primarily driven by the compelling content of the Coast to Coast AM radio show. Users appreciate the access to live and on-demand audio streams, the Art Bell Vault, and the variety of topics covered. However, the app suffers from significant technical issues and usability problems that detract from the overall experience. Many users report frequent crashes, login difficulties, download failures, and a generally clunky interface. While the content itself is highly valued, the app's reliability and user-friendliness need substantial improvement.

Key Strengths:

  • High-quality and engaging content (paranormal, alternative ideas, unexplained phenomena).
  • Access to a vast archive of shows, including the Art Bell Vault.
  • Dedicated user base with a strong connection to the show and its hosts.
  • Affordable subscription cost appreciated by some users.

Key Weaknesses:

  • Frequent crashes and instability.
  • Login and verification issues.
  • Download failures and playback problems.
  • Clunky and outdated user interface.
  • Lack of user-friendly features (e.g., playlist management, easy rewind/fast forward).
  • Poor customer support responsiveness.

Overall Sentiment: Mixed. Users love the show but are often frustrated by the app's performance.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: ~4.3 stars (calculated from the score distribution)
  • 5-Star Reviews: 69.6%
  • 4-Star Reviews: 7%
  • 3-Star Reviews: 4.8%
  • 2-Star Reviews: 3.2%
  • 1-Star Reviews: 15.4%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame of Reviews: Primarily 2023-2024 (based on review dates)
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Qualitative assessment of user opinions expressed in reviews.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identification of frequently mentioned terms and phrases related to app features, issues, and user experiences.
    • Frequency Analysis: Counting the occurrences of specific issues or feature requests.

Key User Pain Points

  • App Crashes/Instability: Many users report the app crashing frequently, especially after updates, rendering it unusable.
    • Impact: Prevents users from accessing content they paid for, leading to frustration and negative reviews.
  • Login and Verification Issues: Users struggle with the email verification process, getting stuck in loops or being unable to log in.
    • Impact: Prevents new users from accessing the app and frustrates existing users who are repeatedly logged out.
  • Download Failures/Playback Problems: Users frequently report that downloads fail, or downloaded episodes won't play, particularly without an internet connection.
    • Impact: Negates the benefit of having a subscription for offline listening, especially for users in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Clunky/Outdated User Interface (UI): Users describe the app as difficult to navigate, with small icons, a lack of intuitive features, and an overall outdated design.
    • Impact: Reduces user satisfaction and makes it harder for users to find and enjoy content.
  • Lack of Playlist Management: Users want the ability to create playlists and queue shows for continuous playback.
    • Impact: Inconvenient listening experience, especially for long drives or overnight listening.
  • Difficulty with Rewind/Fast Forward: Users find it difficult to navigate within episodes, particularly when trying to rewind or fast forward.
    • Impact: Frustrates users who want to skip commercials or re-listen to specific segments.
  • Poor Customer Support: Users complain about a lack of responsiveness from customer support when they encounter issues.
    • Impact: Exacerbates frustration and leaves users feeling unsupported.
  • Ads for Paid Subscribers: Some users report seeing ads even though they are paying subscribers.
    • Impact: Feels like a double charge and reduces the value of the subscription.
  • Lost Saved Shows/Bookmarks: App updates frequently cause users to lose their saved shows, bookmarks, or listening progress.
    • Impact: Highly frustrating as it forces users to start over and rebuild their preferences.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Dark Mode: A dark mode option to improve usability in low-light conditions.
  • Improved Search Functionality: A more robust search bar to easily find specific topics or guests.
  • Playlist Creation/Queueing: The ability to create playlists and queue episodes for continuous playback.
  • Sleep Timer: A reliable sleep timer that works as expected.
  • Offline Playback without Login: The ability to play downloaded episodes without requiring an internet connection or login.
  • Adjustable Font Size: Options to increase font size for better readability, especially for older users.
  • Landscape Mode on iPad: Support for landscape mode on iPads for better viewing experience.
  • Recently Played Section: A "recently played" section to easily resume listening to unfinished episodes.
  • Show Downloaded Episodes: A dedicated section listing all downloaded episodes for easy management.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Compelling Content: The primary strength is the show's content itself: the paranormal, alternative ideas, and unexplained phenomena are highly engaging for the target audience.
  • Art Bell Vault: Access to the Art Bell Vault is a significant draw for many users.
  • Variety of Topics: Users appreciate the wide range of topics covered on the show.
  • Knowledgeable Guests: The show features knowledgeable and interesting guests.
  • George Noory's Hosting: Many users praise George Noory's hosting style and interviewing skills.
  • Community: Users feel a sense of community with other listeners.
  • Affordable Subscription: Some users find the subscription cost to be reasonable.
  • Easy Access to Shows: The app provides convenient access to past and present shows.
  • Commercial-Free Listening: Insider subscriptions provide ad-free listening.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  1. Address App Crashes and Instability: Invest in thorough testing and debugging to identify and fix the root causes of frequent crashes.
  2. Fix Login and Verification Issues: Streamline the login and verification process to eliminate loops and ensure a smooth experience.
  3. Resolve Download Failures/Playback Problems: Ensure that downloads are reliable and that downloaded episodes can be played offline without requiring a login.
  4. Improve User Interface (UI): Redesign the UI to be more modern, intuitive, and user-friendly, with larger icons and clear navigation.

Medium Priority:

  1. Implement Playlist Management: Add the ability to create playlists and queue episodes for continuous playback.
  2. Enhance Rewind/Fast Forward Functionality: Improve the precision and responsiveness of rewind/fast forward controls.
  3. Improve Customer Support Responsiveness: Provide timely and helpful responses to user inquiries and bug reports.
  4. Eliminate Ads for Paid Subscribers: Ensure that paid subscribers do not see any ads.
  5. Implement a Reliable Sleep Timer: Fix the sleep timer so it works as expected.

Low Priority:

  1. Add Dark Mode: Implement a dark mode option.
  2. Implement Adjustable Font Size: Implement adjustable font sizes.
  3. Add Landscape Mode on iPad: Add support for landscape mode on iPads.
  4. Add a "Recently Played" Section: Add a "recently played" section.
  5. Add a "Show Downloaded Episodes" Section: Add a dedicated section listing all downloaded episodes.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Enhanced Podcast App for Coast to Coast AM: A third-party app specifically designed for Coast to Coast AM content, addressing the shortcomings of the official app with features like advanced playlist management, offline playback, and a modern user interface.
  • Interactive Coast to Coast AM Community Platform: A platform that combines audio content with community features like forums, chat rooms, and user-generated content related to the show's topics.
  • Curated Content Service for Paranormal/Alternative Topics: A service that curates and organizes high-quality audio and video content related to paranormal, alternative, and unexplained phenomena, similar to the Art Bell Vault but with a broader scope.

Trends and Observations

  • Negative Sentiment Concentrated on Technical Issues: The majority of negative reviews focus on technical problems rather than the content itself.
  • Recurring Complaints About Updates: Updates often introduce new bugs or break existing features, leading to user frustration.
  • Strong Nostalgia for Art Bell: Many users express a strong attachment to Art Bell and his era of the show.
  • Desire for More Control Over Playback: Users want more control over playback, including playlist management, rewind/fast forward, and sleep timer functionality.
  • Political Content is Divisive: Some users complain about the show becoming too political, while others appreciate George Noory's moderate viewpoints.

Conclusion

The Coast to Coast AM Insider app has a solid foundation in its compelling content and loyal user base. However, its technical issues and usability problems are significantly hindering its potential. By prioritizing the action recommendations outlined above, the developers can improve the app's reliability, user-friendliness, and overall value proposition. Addressing these issues will not only improve user satisfaction but also strengthen the long-term viability of the app and the Coast to Coast AM brand.

Overall Recommendation: Prioritize fixing the technical issues and improving the user interface. The content is already excellent; the app needs to be a reliable and enjoyable platform for accessing it.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/coast-to-coast-am-insider/id330213422?uo=2