PRR 2016: Philippine Radio in Review

2016 is about to end in a few days. But before we bid goodbye to this year, here is a look back at what happened in the world of Philippine Radio. This article will analyze on the Top 10 newcomers, comebacks, reformats & restructures in Metro Manila (and other key cities).

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1. Yes! Goes The Best

Yes! The Best 101.1

On July 18, Yes FM rebranded as 101.1 Yes The Best, as well as its new slogan, The Millennials’ Choice, and new tagname Bes. Moving away from being a Love Radio clone, Yes eliminated the music of the 70s & older from its playlist and added some Hot Hits which are usually played on Easy Rock.

2. No More 80s

At the beginning of this year, Magic 89.9 removed Saturday Slam (which used to play songs from the 90s & early 2000s) from the line-up. A month later, management revamped the playlist of Friday Madness, replacing the 70s & 80s (which were usually played in that program for a long time) with the 90s & early 2000s. This was done to retain its demographics & be in par with what the provincial Friday Madness usually plays. Looks like Friday Madness is the new Saturday Slam.

At that time, Monster RX 93.1 revamped Riot Wednesday‘s playlist, phasing out the 80s in favor of focusing on the 90s & 2000s. Prior to that, Back To The 80s was replaced with Throwback: The Year That Was.

3. La Verdad’s Upgrade

UNTV Radio 1350

At the middle of this year, UNTV Radio La Verdad 1350 upgraded its transmitter facilities, including its tower, equipment & catwalk. Last December 6, it began its test broadcast using its new 50-kW transmitter, replacing its old 10-kW tube type transmitter.

4. 8TriMedia Expands

8TriMedia

Last March, 8TriMedia expanded its operations to Weekends. Initially, its Weekend programming focused on all music, manned by DJs, notably Babay James (of Energy FM), Private Ryan (of Energy FM & Star FM) & Sexy Yannie (of Big Radio). Later in August, it was revamped to make way for new programs. Miguel Gil was moved to Weekends.

Since the middle of this year, more veteran broadcasters moved in to the station, notably Rey Langit (of DWIZ) who lost as a Senator during the recent Election, Gani Oro (of DZBB), Angelo Almonte (of DZMM), Jimmy Morato (of DWIZ), Neil Ocampo (of DZMM, Radyo5 & DZRH), Marou Sarne (of DWIZ) and her son Guile (of Magic & Play FM).

5. Retro Invades Davao

95.5 Retro Davao

At the beginning of this year, 95.5 Hit Radio was rebranded as Retro 95.5. The retro format is still retained. This was a result of Cebu’s 103.5 Retro Cebu success after a few months on the air.

6. The Resurrection Of The Spirit

89.9 Spirit FM

Last June 12, Spirit FM Davao was officially relaunced after 8 years of being off the air. 2 years prior to this, the UIC launched 25 Cents to raise funds to reopen the station. On December the next year, it had its test broadcast.

7. Mango Radio’s Comeback

Mango Radio

Since Viva’s Acquisition of Mango Radio stations, resulting into Oomph! Radio, it returned to air online. Last May marked Mango Radio‘s return to terrestrial airwaves. It launched its 1st relay station in Zamboanga via 91.5. The following month, it launched another one in Butuan via 107.9. Recently, it returned to Davao’s airwaves via 102.7.

8. Oomph! What A Roundabout

Oomph! Radio

Last April, all Oomph! Radio stations temporarily ceased their programming, undergoing some changes. Later on, 2 of them were rebranded back into their UR branding. Every Sunday, they played only Classic Hits and a Sunday night program. Prior to this, a new Production Director was hired and revamped the Sunday programming with Classic Hits, despite retaining its CHR format during Weekdays. This prompted General Manager Joey Sy-Domingo (formerly with Mix FM) to resign from her post.

In July, the Oomph brand was returned, as well as its CHR format and programming.

9. Bandera Raised In Mindanao

Bandera News

With the success of 88.7 Bandera News FM in Palawan, this year it expanded its operations to Mindanao. Last August, it launched its 2nd station in Bukidnon via 88.1. And last October 29, it launched its 3rd station in General Santos via 103.1.

10. Balita FM Closure

105.9 Balita FM

Last October 1, 105.9 Balita FM went off the air for unknown reasons.

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Sorry if I missed some other events. But, the list goes on.

Aside from these changes,  this year marked change for a lot of veteran media personalities. Some of them retired, notably Delamar (of RX), Carlo Jose (of Magic) & Martin D. (of MOR). A lot of radio personalities appointed by Pres. DU30. Martin Andanar (of TV5) became DU30’s PCOO, while Bong “Sonny B.” Aparteda (of Play FM) became the head of government-owned Philippine Broadcasting Service.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!