The station's programming is for the most part, with the exception of several syndicated shows, composed of volunteer DJs of various genres, and has a creative format.

In 1992, KCMU dropped many of its volunteer DJs and elected to run syndicated programming.

Programming is provided by sixty to seventy volunteer DJs.

Weird Al Yankovic was a volunteer DJ there when he was an undergraduate architecture student at the university.

The radio station currently has around 150 volunteer DJs and 8 paid managers.

Programming consisted of an eclectic mix of freeform programming from volunteer DJs.

It is a 24/7 DJ-hosted station, with volunteer DJs drawn from the KoL user base.

The station employs five student managers and is home to more than forty volunteer DJs with diverse tastes and interests.

Occasional volunteer DJs play music live on the air, with daytime gaps and nights consisting of pre-programmed local music.

However, the volunteer DJs on the station are able to have shows based on the types of music they enjoy.