DWQZ

DWQZ (979 Home Radio)

Pasig City
Broadcast area	Mega Manila, surrounding areas
Frequency	97.9 MHz (FM Stereo)
Branding	979 Home Radio
Programming
Format	Easy Listening-leaning Adult Contemporary
Ownership
Owner	Aliw Broadcasting Corporation (Insular Broadcasting System)
Sister stations	DWIZ
History
First air date	October 1994
Former call signs	DWCD-FM (1986–1997)
Call sign meaning	DWQZ (variant of sister station DWIZ)
Technical information
Class	A/B/C
Power	25,000 watts
ERP	60,000 watts
Links
Webcast	Listen Live (via Ustream)
Website	http://www.979homeradio.com/

DWQZ (97.9 FM), branded as 979 Home Radio, is a commercial broadcast radio station, broadcasting 24/7 with an Easy Listening format. It is the flagship station of the Home Radio Network, owned by the Aliw Broadcasting Corporation. Its studios are located at the 5th Floor, Citystate Centre, 709 Shaw Blvd., Brgy. Oranbo, Pasig City, and its transmitter is located at Nuestra Señora Dela Paz Subdivision, Sumulong Highway, Brgy. Santa Cruz, Antipolo City, Rizal. It operates 24/7 except on Sundays where it goes off the air from midnight to 04:00 AM and on Holy Week annually where it goes off the air at midnight of Holy Thursday and resumes at 4:00 AM of Easter Sunday. Since 2015, Home Radio Manila is headed by Braggy Braganza.

History

1994–2014: First easy listening era

97dot9 Home Radio started its broadcast in October 1994. Dubbed as the "#1 Easy Listening Station" in Metro Manila, it adopted an easy listening format, with a Hot AC approach. After gaining success in half a year, it was then implemented to its provincial stations. Aside from its usual programming from Mondays to Saturdays, it aired variety hits programming during Sundays.

In 2006, Home Radio introduced its first 24-hour fully automated DJ, Jackie (voiced by Lannie Chan). In 2009, it recruited female (and later, male) DJs on board, following the less talk, more music style.

On February 28, 2014, after 14 years, the Home Radio network bade goodbye to its easy listening format, following its transition for the next 2 weeks, leaving 96.3 Easy Rock as the sole Soft AC station in the market.

2014–2015: Masa era

On March 17, 2014, the Home Radio network reformatted to a masa format, with a new slogan, "Natural!". Managed by Bryan "Idol T-Bone" Quitoriano, with the air team retained, they were named after fruits. OPM singers Jimmy Bondoc and Duncan Ramos from the Sabado Boys fame, came to the station in July with their own radio program "The R&B Show: The Ramos and Bondoc Show," but got cancelled by the end of that year. On November 2014, Home Radio branding was returned.

2015–2017: Top 40 era

On April 5, 2015, the station was revamped once more, with a different sound and at the same time, it adapted the new positioner "Be You" & "The Home of the Millennials". Managed by Migz Anzuares (of RT), its format was CHR music with an emphasis on OPM, simply known as CHR Local.

By the end of 2015, the "Natural!" slogan was dropped & replaced with "The Music of Now". With Braggy Braganza (of LS, MMDA Traffic Radio & SR) taking over as station manager, Home Radio shifted to a full-fledged CHR station. It slowly got the attention of the youth until it became a favorite of the Millennials. The station also launched its student DJ search called "Aircheck 979", where various student DJs were tapped from different schools & universities around the country.

2017–present: Second easy listening era

On June 30, 2017 at 9am, Home Radio (now read as nine-seven-nine) abruptly discontinued its CHR programming in order to target a broader audience. Public clamor for the station's return to its legendary easy listening format after 3 years of hiatus has paved the way for its eventual reinstatement. New jingles and stingers contained the phrase "It Feels Good to be Home".

Home Radio stations

Main article: Home Radio Network

See also

• DWIZ 882 - an AM radio station also owned by Aliw Broadcasting Corporation