 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Worldwide through Hayag |
| Branding | WRocK Online |
| Programming | |
| Format | Soft AC |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | ACWS-United Broadcasting Network |
| History | |
First air date | 1972 (as DWBC) 1980 (as RK96 Real Radio) October 15, 1988 (as 96.3 WRocK) October 2008 (as WRocK Online) |
Last air date | May 2010 |
Former call signs | DWBC-FM (1972–1980) DWRK (1980–2008) |
Former frequencies | 96.3 MHz (1972 - 2008) |
| Links | |
| Website | WRocK Online site [dead link] |
WRocK Online was a Metro Manila FM radio station and an Internet radio station owned by ACWS-United Broadcasting Network (also operating under the trade name WRocK Entertainment) in the Philippines. As an FM radio station, it operated under the call sign and frequency DWRK at 96.3 MHz, a frequency now used by 96.3 Easy Rock. The main format of the station was soft rock music.
ACWS (Associated Communications through Wireless Services)–United Broadcasting Network (UBN) established DWBC-FM in 1972, as a simulcast of 940 kHz. In 1980, RK 96 was launched (it also changed its callsign to DWRK). Headed by Mike Pedero (who established NU 107 in 1987), it played Lite Rock, competing with easy listening stations DZMB 90.7 (now 90.7 Love Radio) and Mellow Touch 94.7 (now Mellow 947) before reformatting in 1988.
The station underwent rebranding and reformat as 96.3 WRocK with a Lite Rock format in 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". They also owned Ultravision 25 (now Net 25, owned by Eagle Broadcasting Corporation).
On February 28, 2003, Republic Act No. 9192 signed by then-Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which renewed ACWS-UBN's license for another 25 years. The law granted ACWS-UBN a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest, radio and/or television broadcasting stations in the Philippines.[1]
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 and Dylan Thomas.[2]
On October 6, 2008, it has been announced that the Elizalde Group of Companies' Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) has purchased WRocK from the Hodreal family, owners of ACWS-UBN, for PhP229.6 million. Except for the acquisition price, further terms were not disclosed.[3]
While the Manila radio station (DWRK – rebranded to 96.3 Easy Rock) is under the control of MBC, ACWS-UBN retains control of the WRocK provincial stations.
In October 2008, ACWS-UBN decided to re-establish the WRocK format online through the hayag.com online stream. Listeners were able to hear WRocK through webstreaming powered by Hayag, or through the WRocK Online website (requires Microsoft Silverlight).
Since May 2010, due to lack of resources and financial challenges, it suspended its operations indefinitely (as well as the Bacolod station). The Cebu & Davao stations still exist, with the latter being blocktimed by UMBNasHit Radio then rebranded to Retro 95.5 in 2016.
| Branding | Callsign | Frequency | Power (kW) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DWBC 1422[a] | DWBC-AM | 1422 kHz | 10 kW | Metro Manila |
| WRocK Online[b] | — | Link | — | Internet |
| WRocK Bacolod[c] | DYKR | 96.7 MHz | 5 kW | Bacolod |
| WRocK Cebu | DYRK | 96.3 MHz | 10 kW | Cebu |
| WRocK Davao[d] | DXKR | 95.5 MHz | 10 kW | Davao |
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| Defunct/Inactive |
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