HISTORY TIMELINE

Radio timeline

1920

1996

1956

used to contact ships

one nation. one station.

WW2

The golden years

1980

1942

dzrh

fm radio expansion

Fall of bataan

1924, October

The first commercial radio station, KZKZ, owned by the Radio Corporation of the Philippines, cranked up its power to 500 watts. Around the same time, another station called KZRQ, owned by Far Eastern Radio, Inc., also went live. 📻🔊

Expansion to FM

Seeing the massive success of its AM radio stations, Manila Broadcasting Company believed it was timed to expand into the FM band with the acquisition of DZMB, Love Radio. Love Radio is the flagship FM station of the Manila Broadcasting Company. Love Radio is known for its adult-contemporary music selection combined with the witty talk and humor of some of the most popular DJs in the country.

1986, People Power

With the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr., radio was practically alone in presenting the true picture of an outraged Filipino people, and in 1986, DZRH was the only station that aired nationwide a detailed account of the ouster of President Ferdinand Marcos. All hands were on deck, including MBC chairman Fred J. Elizalde, who took the wheel with announcer Ric Radam in tow, fired simply by the commitment to deliver the news as it happened.

1970s, Martial Law

President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law in 1972 effectively closed down the media and suppressed dissent. DZRH was, however, allowed to continue operations, closely monitored by the military, the Broadcast Media Council, and eventually, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP). Even scripts for radio dramas were scrutinized for subversive content.

1947, Agriculture and Radio

Agricultural programs were introduced in radio broadcasting. Developmental communication in radio was introduced. Subsequently, the first 2 call letters were replaced by "DZ" for Luzon and Manila, "DY" for Visayas, and "DX" for Mindanao.

50 watts Stations

Radio used to contact ships out at sea.

Golden Years, 1952

As the country rose and rebuilt, Philippine radio experienced what are often referred to as the golden years. Programming eventually shifted to include Filipino singers, musicians, and announcers, along with expressions of traditional culture such as the kundiman. Amateur singing contests, quiz shows, children’s programs, talk shows, and even on-air balagtasan by the country’s premier poets took root in the 50s and 60s.

One Nation. One Station.

DZRH launched its "One Nation, One Station" initiative, expanding coverage to 97% of the Philippines. MBC chairman Fred J. Elizalde hailed it as the boldest move in local radio history. DZRH upgraded with 17 new transmitters from Broadcast Electronics USA, located in provincial cities. Signals transmitted from Makati to an orbiting satellite, then relayed to 17 island locations, providing digital sound quality without interference even in remote areas.

Fall of Bataan

The then KZRH broadcasted the " Voice of Freedom" from its transmitter physically transferred in Corregidor. Anchored by Norman Reyes, its stirring broadcast announcing the fall of Bataan in 1942 is a classic in broadcast journalism — “Bataan has fallen… But the spirit that made it stand, a beacon to all liberty-loving people of the world, cannot fall.”