Programming

Regular Schedule

WXYC is a free-format radio station, which means that in an hour you'll hear a decisively non-block mix of any and all types of 20th and 21st century music. We don't separate our programs by genre — almost all shows on WXYC are a wide-ranging mix of styles and eras, although we tend to favor music that doesn't get much airplay elsewhere in the Triangle area.

We're on the air 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each set is put together by a DJ who selects music from our library of tens of thousands of CDs and LPs.

Specialty Programming

Most of our programming follows a non-themed freeform format. But on Sundays and select weeknights, we feature specialty programs from artist features to news shows. Learn more about our specialty shows below:

Orange County Special
Every Sunday, noon to 2 p.m.
A celebration of the music of the folk world in North Carolina and beyond, with a special emphasis on local music and traditional American genres. On air since 1977, OCS is WXYC's longest-running specialty show!

WXYC Reports Presents: HyperLocal
Every Sunday, 4 to 5 p.m., except when BYBBQ is on
WXYC's local news broadcast covering the university and Chapel Hill–Carrboro communities, particularly the local art scene.

Backyard BBQ
Select Sundays, 4 to 5 p.m.
An hour of music and interviews with a local band, broadcast live from the WXYC station. Watch past BYBBQ episodes on YouTube, and follow WXYC on Instagram to stay updated on this semester's schedule!

Sunset Soundtrack
Every Sunday, 7 to 9 p.m., except the last Sunday of the month
A two-hour deep dive into the DJ's choice of a film, television, or video game soundtrack, often featuring analysis of the work and music's role in it.

The Sunday Punk Radio
Last Sunday of the month, 7 to 9 p.m.
An exploration of any and all types of hardcore music, broadly construed. From the local scene and beyond.

Thursday Night Feature
Every Thursday, 9 p.m. to midnight
A three-hour deep dive into the DJ's choice of topic, from the straightforward to the wacky. Past shows include 3 hours of songs about chickens, 3 hours of bagpipe music, and a 3-hour tribute to the late, great John Peel.

Inside Track
Every Friday, 9 to 10 p.m., except when Story Hour is on
One releases from rotation played in its entirety, with background information on the artist and their artistry.

Friday Night Story Hour
Select Fridays, 9 to 10 p.m.
WXYC's newest specialty show, focused on spoken word and especially the work of local writers, who are invited to read their work live on air.

New Science Experience
Every Friday, 10 p.m. to midnight
A spotlight on beat-oriented music, dance culture, and the art of live mixing. The music spun live on NSE includes house, techno, hip hop, ambient, and various genres from the underground dance scene. Follow NSE on Instagram!

Programming Archives

Want to listen to a show from the past two weeks? Hit up the WXYC Archive Player.

Just want the playlist from any show going back to 2009? Go to our show archives.

Have a specific song, artist, album, or label in mind? Search our airplay records.