At Live365, we’ve always believed that the best radio is made by people, not algorithms. It’s about the personality behind the mic and the deep cuts you won’t find on a curated streaming playlist. That’s why we’re incredibly excited to announce that for the first time, Live365 is the official streaming partner for Vinylthon 2026.
What is Vinylthon?
Now in its 11th year, Vinylthon is a global event where hundreds of stations – AM, FM, and digital – set aside their hard drives for a weekend to spin 100% vinyl. Organized by the College Radio Foundation, the event raises money for the Next Step Radio scholarships, helping the next generation of broadcasters get their start. Previous years have seen support from names like Judas Priest, Don McLean, and The Lumineers.
Powering WVYL Radio
This year, we’re powering WVYL Radio, the official pop-up station for the event. The organizers have a 120-hour broadcast window that they're filling with 1-hour vinyl-only show submissions.
How to Join the Lineup (The Specs)
If you want to submit a show to the Vinylthon team, you'll need to have your set ready by April 6. To ensure your show fits the station’s cohesive sound, the organizers require the following:
- The Vibe: 100% vinyl-sourced. We want to hear the character, the warmth, and even the occasional crackle of the record.
- The Timing: Your show must be exactly 59:00 minutes (this is critical for top-of-hour transitions).
- The Tech: MP3 format at 320 kbps (16-bit, stereo).
- The Branding: An official WVYL imaging kit is available to all DJs. Use these sweepers throughout your set and present yourself as an official WVYL DJ while on air.
- The Standards: Keep it fun and inclusive. The organizers ask that you avoid FCC-indecent language to keep the vibe welcoming for everyone tuning in.
Not Ready for a Full Set? No Problem.
You don’t have to produce a full hour to be part of the movement. On April 18–19 (which also happens to be Record Store Day), we’re encouraging every station on the Live365 network to:
- Spin at least one vinyl track and tell your listeners the story of why you picked it.
- Tag your social posts with Vinylthon and Live365 so we can shout you out on our pages.
- Promote the WVYL stream as the official destination for your listeners once they get home from their local record store.
Mark Your Calendars
- Now – April 6: Recording window. Hit the crates and start mixing.
- April 6: Final Deadline for show submissions.
- April 13–19: WVYL goes live on Live365.
- April 18–19: Vinylthon & Record Store Day Weekend.
Ready to get started? Head over to our Vinylthon Hub to learn more and sign up as Supporter, Broadcaster, or Featured DJ. And remember: any station that broadcasts at least 24 hours of vinyl is eligible for the prestigious Golden Slipmat Award.
Ready to start your own station? Contact one of our Product Consultants or visit our website today.
Discover thousands of free stations from every genre of music and talk at Live365.com. Rather listen on our app? Download the Live365 app on iOS or Android. Keep up with the latest news by following us on Facebook (Live365 (Official) and Live365 Broadcasting) and Twitter (@Live365 and @Broadcast365)! You can also shop Live365 swag and branded merchandise at store.live365.com!
Article Image: Event banner for Vinylthon featuring a close-up of a vinyl record spinning on a turntable. Text on the left reads "Vinylthon 2026, April 18-19." The right side features the WYVL Radio "Official Pop-Up Station" microphone logo with the "Powered by Live365" beneath it.
