DWRK (96.3 FM), broadcasting as 96.3 Easy Rock, is a music FM radio station, airing 24 hours a day with a Soft AC format. This is the flagship station of the Easy Rock Network, owned by Cebu Broadcasting Company (an affiliate of Manila Broadcasting Company). The station is currently broadcasting from Star City Complex, Pasay City and its transmitter is located atop the BSA Twin Towers in Mandaluyong City, sharing the same site with 90.7 Love Radio & 101.1 Yes The Best. It is the most listened to easy-listening radio station preferred by listeners, especially in the office, and also by motorists in Metro Manila, as conducted by Nielsen Radio Research Survey.
History
DWBC/RK 96 Real Radio
ACWS-United Broadcasting Network established DWBC-FM in 1972, as a simulcast of 940Â kHz. In 1983, RK 96 was launched (it also changed its callsign to DWRK). Headed by Mike Pedero (who established 99.5 RT in 1976 and NU 107 in 1987), it played Soft Rock-leaning Adult Contemporary music (Lite Rock), competing with DZMB 90.7, Mellow Touch 94.7, and other AC stations before reformatting in 1988.
96.3 WRocK
The station underwent rebranding and reformat as 96.3 WRocK with a Lite Rock format on October 15, 1988. The new format plays also love songs along with its lite rock songs. During the 1990s, it had a copyright infringement with 103.5 K-Lite with its use of the stinger "it's the true light rock" and "light rock with a kick". They also owned Ultravision 25 (now Net 25, owned by Eagle Broadcasting Corporation).
During the 2000s until its acquisition by MBC, it hosted events and played music that inspired a generation up to October 26, 2008 when its DJ's aired the final edition of "Lite Rock Favorites of the Week" with DJs Cherry Bayle (now with Radyo5 92.3 News FM) and Dylan Thomas.
On October 6, 2008, it has been announced that the Elizalde Group of Companies' Manila Broadcasting Company has purchased WRocK from the Hodreal's ACWS-UBN, for PhP229.6 million. Except for the acquisition price, further terms were not disclosed. However, radio guidelines dictate that an entity could declare no more than one station under its direct ownership; hence as MBC is the declared owner of 90.7 Love Radio and its sister AM station DZRH, it could not be the declared owner of 96.3 FM. As such, the frequency was assigned to MBC affiliate Cebu Broadcasting Company.
96.3 Easy Rock
On October 26, 2008, WRocK signed off permanently on its frequency, but revived as an online station. After that, MBC scrapped all programs associated with WRocK, and even ACWS-UBN. The new "WRocK" played automated music and some liners from its new DJs. MBC tried its best to maintain DWRK's upscale and niche-market on-air identity and programming format as 96.3 WRocK from October 2008 to May 17, 2009, unlike many other stations which reformatted after being sold. In December 2008, its studios moved to the Star City Complex, Pasay next to its new sister stations.
On May 18, 2009, DWRK rebranded as 96.3 Easy Rock, ending 20 years of broadcasting under the WRocK brand to reflect the change. This was MBC's first venture into class A,B & C market. However, on June 20, 2012, Easy Rock made a lot of changes on its playlist, dropping some lesser known songs, to make it quite similar to Love Radio and Yes FM's playlist.
Easy Rock stations
Easy Rock is also broadcast to 7 provincial stations in the Philippines.
See also
- Manila Broadcasting Company - Parent Company of Cebu Broadcasting Company.
References
External links
- Official website