- For the defunct radio station with the same callsign that operated under the brand 96.3 WRocK between 1988 and 2008, see WRocK Online. For the Cebu station that currently uses the brand name 96.3 WRocK, see DYRK.
File:96.3 Easy Rock Logo 2021.png | |
Pasay | |
---|---|
Broadcast area | Mega Manila, and surrounding areas Worldwide (Online) |
Frequency | 96.3 MHz (HD Radio) |
Branding | 96.3 Easy Rock |
Slogan | "Your Relaxing Music Mix" "Remember Someone Today" |
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Format | Soft AC |
Subchannels | HD1: DWRK analog HD2: Radyo Natin HD3: DZRH |
Network | Easy Rock Network |
Ownership | |
Owner | MBC Media Group[1][2] (Manila Broadcasting Company) |
Sister stations | DZRH, 90.7 Love Radio, 101.1 Yes FM |
History | |
First air date | 1972 |
Former call signs | DWBC-FM (1972-1980) |
Former names | Real Radio RK96 (February 4, 1980–October 16, 1988) WRocK (October 17, 1988–May 17, 2009) |
Call sign meaning | WRocK (former branding) |
Technical information | |
Licensing authority | NTC |
Class | 25,000 watts |
ERP | 75,000 watts |
Links | |
Webcast | Listen live |
Website | www.easyrock.com.ph HD2: Listen Live Easy Rock HD2: Radyo Natin |
DWRK (96.3 FM), broadcasting as 96.3 Easy Rock, is a radio station owned and operated by MBC Media Group.[1][2] It serves as the flagship station of Easy Rock Network. The station's studio is located at the MBC Building, Star City, Vicente Sotto St., CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay, and its transmitter facilities are located at the BSA Twin Towers, Bank Drive, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, sharing the same site with sister stations 90.7 Love Radio and 101.1 Yes The Best.
As of Q4 2022, 96.3 Easy Rock is the 6th most-listened to FM radio station (and #3 among easy-listening music stations) in Metro Manila, based on a survey commissioned by Kantar Media Philippines and Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas. It currently faces competition from FBS Radio Network's Mellow 94.7 and Aliw Broadcasting Corporation's 97.9 Home Radio.
History[]
1980–1988: Real Radio RK96[]
The ACWS-United Broadcasting Network established DWBC-FM in 1972, as a simulcast of 940 kHz (later 954 kHz). On February 4, 1980, it was reformatted as Real Radio RK96 then split of simulcast for DWBC-FM, also changed its callsign to DWRK, Headed by Mike Pedero.
During to 1986, Mike Pedero left the station after six years, she was transferred to Citylite 88.3 (now Jam 88.3) that year.
1988–2009: 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". Back then, its studios were located at the FEMS Tower 1 in Osmeña Highway, Malate, Manila. 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.[3][4]
Because of ACWS-UBN's financial difficulties, not to mention the station's intense competition with other stations (Magic 89.9, WRR 101.9 For Life!), it was announced on October 6, 2008 that the Elizalde Group of Companies' Manila Broadcasting Company has purchased the station from the Hodreal-owned ACWS-UBN for PhP229.6 million. Except for the acquisition price, further terms were not disclosed.[5]
2009–present: 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 immediately after being sold. In December 2008, its studios moved from FEMS Tower 1 in Osmeña Highway, Manila to the Star City Complex in Sotto St. cor. Roxas Boulevard, Pasay next to its new sister stations.
On May 18, 2009, DWRK rebranded as 96.3 Easy Rock, ending almost 21 years of broadcasting under the WRocK brand to reflect the change. This was MBC's first venture into class A,B & C market.[6] [7]
On October 2, 2019, the main studios of 96.3 Easy Rock at the MBC Building, CCP Complex in Pasay, along with its sister MBC Manila radio stations, were affected by a major fire that originated in the nearby Star City theme park. In interim, Easy Rock currently broadcasts from its backup studio in BSA Twin Towers, where its transmitter is located.[8]
By the first quarter of 2021, Easy Rock Manila lost its position as the leading easy listening/soft AC station in Mega Manila to Mellow 94.7 following the return of the station's original easy listening format, albeit with pure easy listening hits and great love songs that were popular among listeners.
On November 15, 2021, after a 2 year hiatus, Easy Rock Manila studios along with sister stations Love Radio Manila and Yes! The Best Manila returned to the newly renovated MBC Building inside the Star City complex (which is still under rehabilitation and reconstruction). at the same day, MBC relaunched its new corporate slogan, Sama-Sama Tayo, Pilipino! (lit. We are all Filipinos!) along with the new logos of all MBC radio stations. However, MBC's AM station DZRH retained its interim studios at the Design Center of the Philippines which is near the MBC Building, they will soon follow suit with the return of the MBC Building (however it was officially moved in December 17, 2021).[9]
Theme music[]
From 1988 until May 17, 2009, the jingles were resings from 93.7 K-Lite's jingle package from TM Studios. It also had versions recorded by various local artists, including Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, The CompanY, Kuh Ledesma, Lea Salonga etc. as part of its "Why does this singer have lite rock on his/her radio?" campaign. [10] Since 2010, it has been exclusively heard on the surviving WRocK station, DYRK in Cebu.
On May 18, 2009, along with the rebrand, it used the Delilah jingle package from ReelWorld, since it ironically has the same tune as that of K-Lite's. [11] Acapella versions of their jingles were used during their Monday program Remember Someone Today from October 2012 to February 2020.
On December 3, 2021, a few weeks after relaunching its logo, its jingle package was also revamped after 12 years, this time using the Easy Radio jingle package from ReelWorld while keeping the iconic melody of the station.
HD Radio operations[]
At present, 96.3 Easy Rock is also heard via digital HD Radio via the HD1 channel. The HD2 channel carries the simulcast of Radyo Natin Nationwide, a hometown-formatted national radio station owned by MBC affiliate Radyo Natin Network. The HD3 channel carries a simulcast of sister AM station DZRH.
Compilation CDs[]
- 15 Years of 96.3 WRock - A Lite Rock Favorites Collection (Viva Records, 2003)
- 14 Years After - 96.3 Easy Rock - A Relaxing Music Mix Collection (Star Music, 2023)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Template:Cite web
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Template:Cite web
- ↑ Goodbye, 96.3 WRocK. Thanks for the Memories
- ↑ FM Radio’s “96.3 WRock the Heart of Lite Rock”
- ↑ Elizaldes’ Manila Broadcasting acquires 96.3 Wrock Script error: No such module "webarchive".
- ↑ The Birth of the Easy Rock network
- ↑ Is she the one?
- ↑ Fire hits Star City compound
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ https://www.pinoyexchange.com/discussion/333994/radio-memories/p40
- ↑ 96.3 Easy Rock Gets Jingles from ReelWorld
External links[]
- Template:Official website
Template:MBC Media Group