To increase its appeal to younger listeners and compete more effectively in what had become a crowded radio dial, WVBR changed its weekday music format in 2018 to alternative, and changed its brand identity from Real Rock Radio to Ithaca's Alternative. On weekends, the station continues to offer a lineup of specialty programs that have attracted strong local followings for decades, including "Bound For Glory" (folk), "Salt Creek" (country), "Rockin' Remnants" (oldies) and "Last Exit for the Lost" (metal) among others.