Underwriting announcements are factual and understated, and seek to inform listeners about a service rather than induce them to purchase a product. Underwriting is a way to market your business and support non-commercial, public radio stations. The cost of underwriting can be deducted either as a business expense. It is not a charitable donation.

Underwriting is the best way for businesses to promote themselves while supporting non-commercial radio stations. Because there is no commercial clutter, your message will always stand out. The cost of underwriting can be deducted as a business marketing or promotional expense. You choose — either support the entire station and receive daily announcements across programs, or select a specific show(s) that reach your desired audience.

The station’s signal covers an area with an estimated population of 50,000, including Southern Village, downtown Carrboro, Carrboro Plaza, UNC and much of Chapel Hill. WCOM’s volunteer DJs, producers and management generate a strongly community-minded listener base. The majority of our listeners, estimated at 800 per day, listen to the online stream on our website or on streaming services.

Underwriters are able to reach two highly desirable, niche audiences: 1) our local community of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and; 2) strong affinity groups that align with the unique programming found on our station.

Underwriting options can be found directly on the Donate form on our website, where you will see the option to Become a WCOM station underwriter. Once you select this option, a complete listing of our underwriting options and what’s included will be displayed.

Billing options are different depending on whether you are underwriting a specific show, or our entire station. Individual programs can be underwritten via either annual payments or monthly installments. Station underwriting is always billed annually.