DWLA-FM
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
| Broadcast area | Mega Manila, surrounding areas Worldwide (Online) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 105.9 MHz |
| Branding | Like FM 105.9 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult Top 40, talk |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Bright Star Broadcasting Network |
| History | |
First air date | April 1, 1992 |
Call sign meaning | ALbert "Bobby" Aguirre (Owner) |
| Technical information | |
| Power | 20,000 watts |
| ERP | 60,000 watts |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
DWLA, (105.9 FM) branded currently as Like FM 105.9, is an FM station owned by Bright Star Broadcasting Network. Its studios are located at the 3rd Floor, Silver City Mall, Frontera Verde, Bgy. Ugong, Pasig City, while its transmitter is situated at Nuestra Señora de la Paz Subdivision, Barangay Santa Cruz, Antipolo, Rizal. Like FM 105.9 now operates 24 hours daily.
History
LA 105.9 (1992–2000)
The station was initially established on April 1, 1992 as LA 105.9, the first all-rock station under Bright Star Broadcasting Network Corporation, playing Pinoy rock music either amateur or professional.
One of the notable programming of the station under the all-rock format was a weekly chart that saw Teeth's "Laklak" reign for 12 weeks.
In July 1998, LA reformatted into an automated station playing electronic dance music and Top 40. Financial constraints forced LA 105.9 to sign-off for the last time on November 26, 2000.
Blazin' 105.9 (2003–2007)
After 3 years, the station resumed operations as Blazin' 105.9 on October 20, 2003. It was co-owned and operated by Philippine Hip Hop Awards organizer Empire Entertainment and Cavite businessman - politician Mayor Dino Chua, President of Cavite Broadcasting Network (also the owner of now-defunct 91.9 The Bomb FM in Cavite). Their former studios were located at Culture Club in Eastwood, Libis, Q.C. and Club Cello (now RJ Bar) in Makati City.
Blazin' played all kinds of rap, hip-hop and R&B whether current or old school on Sundays and underground hip hop. This was the only FM station in the Philippines to air the 2004–2005 season of the NBA courtesy of another media partner, Solar Sports. This station was a retooled concept of Tagaytay-based Power 108 FM way back in 2001 and in 2005 it became the second revision of Project: Hip Hop.
Blazin' 105.9 also became notable as the producer of the first-ever The Black Eyed Peas concert in the Philippines.
The station went into a partnership with the Ramon Jacinto of Rajah Broadcasting Network in late 2006. It became inactive from January to July 2007. Wave 891 took over the Pinoy hip hop formatted scene in 2007, creating the 1st Urban Music Awards in 2010.
UR 105.9 (2007–2011)
In mid July 2007, 105.9 FM resumed broadcasting with relatively low power transmission. It was later identified as RJ Underground Radio UR 105.9, airing a mainstream rock format. The station became a child station of RJ 100.3 FM, with its image resembling the pre-1986 DZRJ Rock of Manila and even LA 105.9. Like its "parent", it also played three songs in a row featuring a modern rock, classic rock, and a Pinoy rock track, except for some special programs on weekdays and Saturdays, and Sunday Rock Jam. However, they did not usually feature disc jockeys on weekdays; only public address systems were used, although the station later started to use on-air talent. On Sundays, veteran DJ's from the old RJ Rock of Manila were heard on Sunday Rock Jam. Within a few months, RJ UR improved its transmission to 25,000 watts, though its signal remained unpenetrated in areas far from its transmitter.
Sundays featured legendary DZRJ rockjocks Jamie Evora ("The Spirit"), Hoagy Pardo ("Cousin Hoagy"), Mike Llamas ("Stoney Burke"), and Alfred Gonzalez ('The Madman"), broadcasting from the United States of America. Also, legendary rock DJ Dante David ("Howlin' Dave") made his return on FM radio and the RJ group after a stint with the short-lived & defunct Rock 990 (now Radyo Inquirer 990), with his Sunday afternoon program RJ Pinoy Rock and Rhythm until several health reasons caused his death on May 2008.
After four years, UR management decided to forgo lease on 105.9. In May 28, 2011, UR 105.9 was relaunched & migrated to internet as UR Faceradio.[1] However, the station continued to air the online feed until the end of June. It was later learned that out that four months after it leased airtime, Rajah Broadcasting Network had an issue with the Bright Star Broadcasting Network Corporation due to its illegal use of the network without the permission of the real owner.[citation needed]
Radio High 105.9 (2011–2014)
On July 1, 2011, Hi-Definition Radio Inc. of Mr. Francis Lumen acquired the station's airtime lease for a smooth jazz format.
On July 14, 2011, it returned to the airwaves as a test broadcast, debuting as Radio High 105.9. It adopted the format of the defunct 923 Joey (now Radyo5 92.3 News FM) and 106.7 Dream FM (now 106.7 Energy FM). It essentially picked up where Dream FM left off.
In February 2014, due to financial losses, Lumen decided to sublease 105.9 FM's airtime to another group. Despite this, the station continued to air the format until March 27, 2014.[2]
Retro 105.9 (2014–2018)
On March 1, 2014, DCG Radio-TV Network, headed by Joselito Ojeda and Domingo C. Garcia, took over the station's airtime sublease. At the same time, a group of veteran DJs, led by Jonathan "JJ Sparx" Jabson, came up with an innovative radio format that will satisfy the listeners by playing the songs that they grew up with. Teasers were aired throughout the entire month.
On March 28, 2014 at 5:00am, the station reformatted as Retro 105.9 DCG FM, with Andy Tuna on board on its initial broadcast. The station's format change ensued significant success, gained more listenership and it became an immediate hit with retro music lovers. Due to this, the innovative format, which holds a special spot in a varied class of radio listeners from young adults to mature listeners, was adopted by other stations in other key cities in the Philippines, such as crosstown 104.3 FM2, 103.5 Retro Cebu in Cebu City and Retro 95.5 in Davao City.
On October 20, 2014, the resignation of JJ Sparx left Retro 105.9 without a station manager. Cris Cruise was hired as station consultant. As a result, changes in the DJs' line-up occurred, despite its massive success. Since then, Retro 105.9 developed additional programs, such as Discoteria (replaced by Club Retro), Retro In Love (replaced by Retro Romance) and Quarter Attack.
In October 12, 2015, Willy "Hillbilly Willy" Inong from Wish 1075 was hired as station manager. He left the station on June 4, 2017 due to creative differences.
In almost two years, Retro 105.9 was ranked by Nielsen as the #1 station in the Niche market. This rank would be received by FM2 a year later.
However by 2017, further changes occurred, starting with the reduction of its terrestrial radio broadcast to 19 hours a day due to transmitter maintenance, continuing its broadcast on internet online streaming after midnight. On November 20, 2017, the DCG FM tag was dropped from its brand. Two weeks prior to this change, most of its DJs were dismissed, leaving the station automated for most of the day, except for its daily newscasts.
On May 25, 2018, at 6pm, Retro 105.9 went off the air unceremoniously. It was later revealed that the DCG Radio-TV Network opted to forgo its sublease with Bright Star after failing to pay their debts.
Like FM 105.9 (2018–present)
On May 26, 2018, 105.9 FM went back on air as a test broadcast, branding itself officially as Like FM 105.9 with an adult-leaning Top 40 format. Jonathan "JJ Sparx" Jabson & Manny "Jimmy Jam" Pagsuyuin, who used to be involved with the previous format, along with a new group of investors, took over the station's airtime. Regular broadcast commenced at 6 am on July 28, 2018.
References
See also
- DCG Radio-TV Network
- DZRJ-FM, the former parent station of DWLA
- 87.5 FM1
External links