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DWWW (774 AM) is a C-QUAM radio station owned and operated by Interactive Broadcast Media. The studio is located at the RMN Broadcast Center, Unit 808, 8th Floor, Atlanta Centre, Annapolis St., Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, while its transmitter is located along Tagalag Road, Brgy. Tagalag, Valenzuela.
Key Information
As of Q4 2022, DWWW is the 3rd most-listened to AM radio station in Metro Manila, based on a survey commissioned by Kantar Media Philippines and Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
History
[edit]1963–1996: DZBM/DWOO/DWAT
[edit]The station's predecessor, DZBM 740, was established in 1963 by Mareco Broadcasting Network[2] of Manuel P. Villar Sr.,[3] being one of the network's first AM radio stations[4] along with DZLM 1430.[5] Both stations were used to promote Mareco's record labels.[5] They mostly played foreign records yet a local recording once daily,[6] all requested by the listeners in later years.[4]
With a decree issued upon the declaration of nationwide martial law in 1972, the company decided to keep DZBM in AM[2] and transfer another to FM as DWBM 105.1,[7] which remained to the Villars until being known as Crossover since 1994.[5] The station is currently operated by Brigada Mass Media Corporation as 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila.
DZBM had the magazine-type format until the management later adopted the one with different announcing style, the first AM station to reformat into such; thus becoming the top-rated pop station[3] for at least five to six years. Among those DJs at that time were the late Angelo Castro and Howard Medina, now DZBB-AM program host.[8] Villar Records, then country's leading biggest record company[3] and the licensee of foreign labels, once promoted its star balladeer to play alongside foreign pop stars on the station.[6]
In 1978, its frequency was changed to 774 kHz[9] in response to the adoption of the 9-kHz spacing on AM radio stations in the Philippines. At the same time, it switched to a news & talk format.[10]
The station, as DWOO-AM,[7] along with its sister station, became a CNN radio affiliate in early 1990s; the first for the country's AM radio stations.[11]
In May 1993, MBNI, owned by Palma and Villar group of companies at that time, relaunched DWOO-AM as news radio station.[7][12]
The AM station, as DWAT, was bought from the Villars by the Palmas and later by businessman Lucio Tan. The transfer to the latter was the subject of a dispute when the Villar family later filed a court case against Tan.[13] While MBNI was still being the station's licensee during these transfers,[13] the station was later operated by Interactive Broadcast Media, Inc. prior to having the franchise granted by the Congress in 1996.[14] Since its relaunch in 1994, it served as the first station of veteran broadcasters, Fernan Gulapa, Willie Delgado, and Cito Beltran, son of the late Louie Beltran.
1996–2011: DWWW
[edit]While the dispute was ongoing, the scheduled official broadcast on October 25, 1996 was delayed[13] until the station eventually aired as DWWW 774 on October 31 under the management of broadcast veteran Rene Palma and businessman Roberto Bacsal, owners of IBMI.[15] The station took the slot left by DWAT; the current callsign was formerly used by the flagship station of Radio Philippines Network until 1986 when the government returned its frequency to ABS-CBN,[16] which in turn revived their station as DZMM.[17]
Its studios were moved to #23 E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave. in Quezon City. The station airs oldies, covering music from the 50s to 80s in the afternoon and evening slots, while morning and late afternoon slots were allotted for news and public affairs programs. In a few months, it rose to the #4 spot in the Mega Manila AM ratings and carved a strong niche against rival stations. Back then, the station operated for 21 hours from Monday to Saturdays, and 20 hours on Sundays.[18]
DWWW also introduced the Broadkast Patrol reportorial team for news. Aside from Gulapa and Beltran, other personalities were part of the station's early years are Lito Villarosa, Jun Taña, Bobby Guanzon, Vic Morales and Joey Collantes. Jun Ricafrente of DZMM served as head of the news service in the 90s.[19][20]
2011–present: Expansion and Dominance
[edit]Under new ownership and management, DWWW was relaunched on November 2, 2011, in its new home in Atlanta Center, Greenhills, San Juan City, Metro Manila and expanded its broadcast hours to 24/7. The station's music library was overhauled and reorganized. The nomenclature of the station's identification changed from "Siete siete cuatro/siyete siyete kwatro" to "Seven seven four." The new tagline "The Music of Your Life" was also launched to highlight the dominant ratings of DWWW's music format. Since then, it became an affiliate station of RMN Networks.
In 2014, the tagline was changed to "Your Ultimate AM Radio" to showcase DWWW's competitive news, commentary, and public service programs, aside from music and entertainment. Such ongoing dominance prompted the station to change the tag to "Your Ultimate Newsic Radio" in mid-2018, a year after the relaunch of its Broadkast Patrol division.
DWWW was relaunched on September 8, 2019, during the Grandparents' Day event at the Farmers Plaza, Araneta Center. The station identification's nomenclature reverted to Tagalog naming "siyete siyete kwatro", though the English naming is still heard only on some plugs prior to this.[21]
On July 1, 2024, DWWW launched its relay affiliate in Dagupan via DWHT 107.9 FM. It is owned by Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media, which RMN sold its stake to Globe Telecom's media arm Bethlehem Holdings in 2009.
References
[edit]- ^ "Interactive Broadcast Media, Inc". Media Ownership Monitor by VERA Files. Reporters Without Borders. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
- ^ a b The Philippines, a Country Profile. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of State. August 1979. p. 110. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c Samonte, Danee (September 13, 2018). "Rene Garcia: The final Hotdog". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ a b "From the Music Capitals of the World: Manila". Billboard. August 10, 1968. p. 50. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c Sicam, Edmund (September 30, 2000). "Meet Louie Villar, the man behind radio's Crossover stations". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. E2. Retrieved July 1, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "How Villar Records changed Philippines pop music forever". The Philippine Star. February 2, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Mareco launches station DWOO". Manila Standard. May 24, 1993. p. 6. Retrieved July 2, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ Samonte, Danee (January 17, 2015). "Them were the days". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ National Economic and Development Authority; National Census and Statistics Authority (1979). Philippine Yearbook 1979. Manila: Government of the Philippines. p. 811. Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ Del Mundo, Clodualdo (1986). Philippine Mass Media: A Book of Readings. Communication Foundation for Asia. p. 130. ISBN 9789711550974. Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ "CNN on Citylite and Mareco". Manila Standard. January 9, 1993. p. 18. Retrieved July 2, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Mareco launches DWOO 774 AM". Manila Standard. May 20, 1993. p. 29. Retrieved July 2, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c Singh, Tara (October 30, 1996). "Vantage Point: Lucio Tan and the so-called 'Judas-ciary'". Manila Standard. p. 11. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ Journal of the Senate. Philippines: Senate of the Philippines. 1995. p. 1554. Retrieved July 5, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ "DWWW 774". Media Ownership Monitor. Reporters Without Borders. 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "G.R. No. 133347". The LawPhil Project. Arellano Law Foundation. October 15, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ Jimenez, Alex (December 30, 1996). "That was radio in '96". Manila Standard. p. 30. Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ "DWWW 774". Online Journey. April 1, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Aniceto, Ben (2007). Stay Tuned: The Golden Years of Philippine Radio. Rufino J. Policarpio, Jr. p. 341. ISBN 9789719401407. Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Broadcaster na si Vic Morales, pumanaw na". DZMM. May 16, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ "Your Weekend Guide". BusinessWorld. September 6, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
External links
[edit]History
1963–1996: Origins and early iterations as DZBM, DWOO, and DWAT
The predecessor to DWWW began operations in 1963 as DZBM on 740 kHz, established by the Mareco Broadcasting Network, Inc. (MBNI), founded by businessman Manuel P. Villar Sr. as a promotional platform for the company's Villar Records and Mabuhay Records labels.[5][6] Initially focused on playing recordings from these labels to boost sales, DZBM operated from studios in Quezon City and marked MBNI's entry into radio broadcasting alongside a sister station, DZLM on 1430 kHz.[7] In 1973, amid broader industry shifts under martial law, DZBM transitioned to the callsign DWOO, relocating to 1430 kHz temporarily before standardizing at 774 kHz following the 1978 adoption of 9 kHz channel spacing across Asian broadcasters to reduce interference.[8] This reorientation emphasized a news and talk format, reflecting MBNI's pivot from music promotion to informational programming, though it retained ties to the Villar family's media interests.[9] By 1987, the station adopted the DWAT callsign while maintaining the 774 kHz frequency and continuing under MBNI ownership, serving Metro Manila with talk-oriented content during a period of political transition post-People Power Revolution.[10] In May 1993, DWAT—still identified in some contexts with prior branding—was relaunched with enhanced news programming by MBNI, then controlled by a Palma-Villar consortium, ahead of its eventual sale. These iterations laid the groundwork for DWWW's later news dominance, with power output consistently at 10 kilowatts for regional coverage.[1]1996–2011: Transition to DWWW and initial operations
In 1996, Interactive Broadcast Media, Inc. (IBMI) acquired the station from Mareco Broadcasting Network, Inc., reassigning the callsign to DWWW on the 774 kHz frequency following the closure of its predecessor DWAT.[11] IBMI, founded on October 31, 1996, by broadcast executive Roberto Bacsal and businessman Rene Palma, aimed to revive the frequency as a commercial outlet.[11] The planned launch on October 25 was postponed amid ownership disputes, with the first commercial broadcast occurring on October 31, coinciding with IBMI's incorporation.[1] Initial programming under DWWW emphasized a hybrid format of music, news, and public affairs, differentiating it from prior iterations by integrating adult contemporary and oldies tracks with informational segments to appeal to a broad Metro Manila audience.[1] The station maintained a 5 kW non-directional transmitter, ensuring coverage across the National Capital Region, and focused on local content production from temporary facilities before permanent studios were established.[1] Early operations prioritized reliability in news delivery, building on the frequency's legacy while avoiding the political affiliations of earlier networks. Throughout the period, DWWW operated independently under IBMI, expanding its news reporting capabilities and music playlist to include hits from the 1950s to 1980s interspersed with talk segments, which helped it gain listenership in a competitive AM market dominated by established players.[1] By the late 2000s, the station had solidified its niche without major format shifts, setting the stage for network affiliations in subsequent years, though specific audience metrics from this era remain limited in public records.[1]2011–present: Expansion, affiliations, and sustained relevance
In 2011, Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) assumed operational control of DWWW, leading to a comprehensive reformatting of its programming to include daytime news and talk segments alongside evening music blocks, aimed at broadening its appeal in the competitive Manila AM market.[1] This shift followed efforts to expand the station's listener base, building on its prior #4 ranking in Mega Manila AM ratings and establishing a distinct niche against larger rivals.[1] The partnership with RMN, one of the Philippines' oldest broadcasters founded in 1961 and operating 59 stations nationwide, integrated DWWW as an affiliate, enhancing its access to shared resources, content syndication, and technical support while leveraging RMN's established infrastructure for wider reach.[12] Operations relocated to a new studio facility, initially in Atlanta Center, Greenhills, San Juan, and later to the RMN Broadcast Center in Ortigas Center, Pasig, supporting upgraded production capabilities.[1] By 2014, DWWW refined its branding to emphasize a mix of news, public affairs, and music, sustaining relevance amid evolving listener preferences and digital competition through consistent programming that maintained its core audience in Metro Manila.[1] Ongoing operations under Interactive Broadcast Media, Inc.—a Canoy family entity tied to RMN—have preserved the station's role as a C-QUAM AM outlet delivering daily news updates and music, evidenced by active broadcasts into 2025.[1][11]Ownership and Operations
Historical ownership shifts and political influences
Interactive Broadcast Media, Inc. (IBMI) acquired the station in 1996, rebranding it as DWWW from its prior iteration as DWAT and establishing the company specifically to operate the outlet under founders Roberto Bacsal and Rene Palma, both experienced in broadcasting and music production.[11] This shift marked a transition from earlier ownership tied to the Mareco Broadcasting Network, which had operated the frequency since its origins in 1963 under Manuel P. Villar Sr., amid the pre-martial law expansion of commercial radio.[6] The 1996 change reflected post-EDSA market liberalization, allowing new entrants like IBMI to consolidate assets previously held by family-controlled networks facing financial pressures. In 2010, EDCanoy Prime Holdings, Inc.—controlled by the Canoy family, proprietors of the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN)—purchased shares in IBMI, injecting capital and aligning DWWW with RMN's regional infrastructure.[11] By 2012, EdCanoy held a 49% stake, effectively partnering IBMI as an RMN associate and relocating studios to RMN facilities, enhancing distribution but tying operations to RMN's editorial framework.[13] This partial shift diversified ownership while centralizing under networks with established news operations. Political influences on DWWW's ownership have mirrored broader Philippine media patterns, where regimes exerted control via licensing and sequestration. During martial law (1972–1986), Mareco's continuity under Villar Sr. implied compliance with government media policies, as non-aligned outlets faced shutdowns or nationalization. Post-1986 PCGG actions recovered assets from Marcos cronies, indirectly reshaping provincial and Manila frequencies, though DWWW's specific lineage avoided direct sequestration.[14] Later, the Canoy-RMN integration introduced potential alignments, given RMN's history of covering elections and facing regulatory scrutiny for perceived biases in political reporting, yet no verified instances document overt interference in DWWW's content decisions. The Villar clan's evolution from broadcasters to political players—via Manuel Villar Jr.'s Senate tenure (2001–2013)—highlights risks of oligarchic influence, but empirical data on causal impacts remains sparse, with ownership changes driven more by commercial viability than partisan directives.Current ownership structure and network partnerships
DWWW 774 AM is owned and operated by Interactive Broadcast Media, Inc. (IBMI), a media company established to manage broadcast assets including this station.[1] IBMI functions as a subsidiary of EDCanoy Prime Holdings, Inc., a holding entity controlled by the Canoy family, which acquired a controlling interest in IBMI around 2012 following an initial 49% stake purchase by the affiliated Radio Mindanao Network (RMN).[11] [1] The franchise for IBMI's operations, including DWWW, was renewed by Republic Act No. 10753 in 2015, extending for 25 years from September 5, 2021, and ratifying the transfer of control to EDCanoy Prime Holdings.[15] In terms of network partnerships, DWWW operates as one of 19 affiliate stations of the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), a broader media conglomerate also under EDCanoy Prime Holdings, enabling shared programming, news feeds, and operational synergies.[12] The station's studios are housed at the RMN Broadcast Center in Units 807-808, Cityland 10 Tower, Ayala Avenue, Makati, facilitating close integration with RMN's content distribution.[16] This affiliation structure allows DWWW to broadcast RMN-sourced public affairs, news, and talk programs while maintaining local operations, contributing to its ranking as the second-highest rated AM station in Mega Manila as of mid-2025 surveys.[17] No independent partnerships beyond the RMN ecosystem have been publicly disclosed for DWWW as of October 2025.[1]Programming and Content
Format evolution and core offerings
DWWW began broadcasting in 1963 as DZBM, initially serving as a promotional outlet for Villar Records under the Mareco Broadcasting Network, focusing primarily on music programming to showcase recordings from the label.[18] This early format emphasized disc jockey-led shows with a platter (record-playing) style, transitioning in later years to include drama and personality-driven content during the pre-martial law era.[19] Upon relaunching as DWWW on October 31, 1996, following frequency adjustments and ownership shifts, the station adopted a full-service AM format blending news, public affairs, and music to appeal to a broad Metro Manila audience.[1] This hybrid structure persisted into the 2000s, with mornings and late afternoons dedicated to news and information segments, often sourced through affiliation with the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), while afternoons and evenings featured oldies music spanning the 1950s to 1980s, branded as "The Music of Your Life."[20][4] Core offerings include RMN-supplied news bulletins, public affairs discussions on current events and governance, public service announcements, health and wellness segments, opinion-driven talk shows, and religious programming, alongside continuous oldies playback for mature listeners seeking nostalgic content.[2] The format's emphasis on C-QUAM stereo transmission enhances music fidelity, distinguishing it from talk-heavy competitors, though it maintains a 24-hour schedule without major overhauls since the 1996 relaunch.[21]Notable programs, hosts, and public service initiatives
DWWW has broadcast a range of news, public affairs, and commentary programs, with schedules featuring early morning headlines and opinion segments. "774 Headlines," airing from 4 a.m. on weekdays and anchored by Bryan Quitoriano, provides initial daily news updates.[22] "Opinyon Mo, Opinyon Ko," broadcast from 6 a.m., discusses current issues and has been hosted by Joel Gorospe and later Darlene Olaño.[22] "774 Balita Ngayon" delivers ongoing news coverage, with contributions from hosts including Darlene Olaño and Joel Gorospe.[23] Prominent hosts have included Noli de Castro, who worked as a radio announcer on the station from 1982 to 1986 under its prior RPN ownership.[14] Other veteran broadcasters associated with DWWW's early operations were Johnny de Leon, Rod Navarro, and Vic Morales, who joined during the station's formative years in the late 1980s and 1990s.[14] Joe D' Mango hosted the musical program "Minsa'y May Isang Awit" after the station's relaunch under new management following the 1986 People Power Revolution.[24] Public service initiatives encompass health and wellness segments, religious programming, and community-oriented public affairs content designed to address listener concerns and provide practical information.[2] These efforts align with the station's focus on news and commentary alongside music, serving Metro Manila's audience through accessible AM broadcasts since its 1996 commercial debut.[1]Technical Details
Broadcast frequency, power, and coverage area
DWWW broadcasts on 774 kHz in the medium wave amplitude modulation (AM) band, employing C-QUAM stereo technology for enhanced audio fidelity.[20] This frequency assignment, adopted in 1978 to align with the 9 kHz channel spacing standard implemented across Philippine AM stations, supports clear reception in urban and suburban environments during daytime hours.[20] The station's transmitter operates at 25 kilowatts effective radiated power (ERP), utilizing equipment capable of sustaining high-fidelity output over its service area.[25][16] This power level, among the higher for Manila-based AM outlets, facilitates propagation beyond line-of-sight, particularly at night when ionospheric conditions allow skywave signals to extend reception to distant provinces and even international listeners under favorable skip conditions. Coverage encompasses Metro Manila, including densely populated areas like San Juan City and Quezon City, as well as surrounding regions such as parts of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna.[16] The primary signal footprint prioritizes the National Capital Region, where groundwave propagation ensures reliable service for news, public affairs, and music programming, though interference from co-channel stations in Asia may affect marginal areas during peak solar activity.[25] Transmitter facilities are located in Tagalag, providing directional antenna patterns optimized to maximize signal strength toward the metropolis while minimizing spillover into adjacent frequencies.Studio facilities and technological upgrades
The studios of DWWW are located at Unit 808, 8th Floor, Atlanta Centre, Annapolis Street, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, within the RMN Broadcast Center, enabling coordinated operations with the Radio Mindanao Network's affiliate programming and news distribution. This facility supports on-air production, including news, music, and public service segments, with the station's transmitter situated in Barrio Tagalag, Polo, Valenzuela, to facilitate Metro Manila coverage.[26][27] DWWW employs C-QUAM (Compatible Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) technology for its AM transmissions on 774 kHz, allowing stereo audio delivery alongside monaural compatibility, which improves listener experience through separated left and right channels without requiring specialized receivers for basic playback. This implementation represents an upgrade from traditional monaural AM, enhancing sound separation for music and talk content.[26] As an RMN affiliate, DWWW leverages network-wide technological advancements, such as RMN's 1968 introduction of microwave-linked national newscasts for real-time content relay across stations including Manila operations. In 2007, RMN invested P200–300 million to pioneer digital radio broadcasting in the Philippines, launching HD Radio on its Manila FM station DWKC 93.9, which provided multiple digital channels with CD-quality audio and data services alongside analog signals; while primarily FM-focused, this initiative underscored RMN's push toward hybrid digital-analog systems potentially influencing affiliate infrastructure.[28][29]Reception and Ratings
Audience metrics and market performance
DWWW, broadcasting on 774 kHz in Mega Manila, has maintained a competitive presence in the AM radio market, with audience shares typically ranging from 7% to 22% in periodic surveys, positioning it as a third- or fourth-ranked station behind leaders like Super Radyo DZBB.[30][31] These metrics are derived from diary-based surveys by Kantar Media and AGB Nielsen, which track listenership among urban households in the National Capital Region, though surveys emphasize relative shares over absolute listener counts due to methodological focus on market dynamics.[32] Recent data highlights fluctuations tied to programming emphases and competitive pressures. In Q2 2023, DWWW ranked fourth in nationwide AM listenership per Nielsen data, reflecting its broader reach beyond Mega Manila via affiliations.[1] For Mega Manila specifically:| Period | Audience Share | Rank (AM Stations) | Survey Firm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | 7.4% | 3rd | Undisclosed (GMA-cited) |
| March 2025 | 11.3% | 3rd | Undisclosed (GMA-cited) |
| February-March 2024 | 14.4%-21.8% | 2nd-3rd | Undisclosed |
| January-July 2025 | 14.9% | 3rd | Undisclosed |
| September 2024 | 10.2% | 3rd | Undisclosed |
| Q4 2022 | Top 3 | 3rd | Kantar Media |
