 96.3 Easy Rock logo since November 2021 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Mega Manila and surrounding areas |
| Frequency | 96.3MHz (HD Radio) (FM Stereo) |
| Branding | 96.3 Easy Rock |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Format | Soft AC |
| Network | Easy Rock |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | MBC Media Group[1][2] |
| History | |
First air date | 1972 |
Former call signs | DWBC-FM (1972–1980) |
Former names |
|
Call sign meaning | WRocK (former branding) |
| Technical information | |
Licensing authority | NTC |
| Class | A/B/C |
| Power | 25,000watts |
| ERP | 75,000watts |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | Easy Rock |
DWRK (96.3FM), broadcasting as96.3 Easy Rock, is aradio station owned and operated byMBC Media Group.[1][2] It serves as the flagship station ofEasy Rock Network. The station's studio is located at the First floor, MBC Building,Star City, Vicente Sotto St.,CCP Complex,Roxas Boulevard,Pasay, and its transmitter facilities are located at theBSA Twin Towers, Bank Drive,Ortigas Center,Mandaluyong, sharing the same site with sister stations90.7 Love Radio and101.1 Yes! FM.
ACWS-United Broadcasting Network established the station in 1972 as a simulcast of940 kHz. On February 4, 1980, It became an originating station asRK96 Real Radio and changed its callsign to DWRK. Headed by Mike Pedero, it aired a Lite Rock format. Back then, its studios were located at the FEMS Tower 1 inSan Andres,Manila.
In 1986, Mike Pedero left the station after six years and transferred toCitylite 88.3 (now Jam 88.3). Al Torres is one of the notable DJs who worked with the station.
On October 15, 1988, the station rebranded as96.3 WRocK and switched to a Soft AC format, adding love songs to its lite rock playlist. During the 1990s, it had acopyright infringement with103.5 K-Lite with its use of the stinger "it's the true light rock" and "light rock with a kick".[3] During the 2000s, it began hosting events headlined by DJs Cherry Bayle (now withRadyo5) and Dylan Thomas.[4][5]
On October 6, 2008, theManila Broadcasting Company acquired the station from ACWS-UBN for₱229.6 million. Except for the acquisition price, further terms were not disclosed.[6]
On October 26, 2008, the original WRocK transferred its operationsonline. Despite the move, MBC opted to retain the branding for the meantime. This was MBC's first venture into class upscale market. In December 2008, after a few weeks of automation, the station introduced a new set of DJs.
On May 18, 2009, DWRK rebranded asEasy Rock, ending almost 21 years of broadcasting under the WRocK brand to reflect the change. Most of its programming was similar to the one of WRock.[7][8]
On October 2, 2019, the main studios of 96.3 Easy Rock at the MBC Building,CCP Complex inPasay, along with its sister MBC Manila radio stations, were affected by amajor fire that originated in the nearbyStar City theme park. In interim, Easy Rock broadcast from its backup studio inBSA Twin Towers inMandaluyong, where its transmitter is located.[9]
On November 15, 2021, after a two-year hiatus, the MBC stations returned to the newly renovated MBC Building inside the Star City complex, which was still under rehabilitation and reconstruction. At the same day, MBC relaunched its new corporate slogan,Sama-Sama Tayo, Pilipino! (lit.We are all together, Filipinos!) along with the new logos of all MBC radio stations.[10]
From 1988 until May 17, 2009, the jingles were resings fromK-Lite 93.7's jingle package from Century 21 Programming (nowTM Studios). It also had versions recorded by various local artists, includingSharon Cuneta,Regine Velasquez,Martin Nievera,The CompanY,Kuh Ledesma,Lea Salonga,Bituin Escalante,Christian Bautista,Jose Mari Chan,South Border,Nina,Agot Isidro etc. as part of its "Why does this singer have lite rock on his/her radio?" campaign.[11] Since 2010, it has been exclusively heard on the surviving WRocK station,DYRK in Cebu.
On May 18, 2009, along with the rebrand, it used theDelilah jingle package from ReelWorld, since it ironically has the same tune as that of K-Lite's.[12] Acapella versions of their jingles were used during their Monday programRemember Someone Today from October 2012 to February 2020.
On December 3, 2021, a few weeks after relaunching its logo, its jingle package was also revamped after 12 years, this time using the Easy Radio jingle package from ReelWorld while keeping the iconic melody of the station. ReelWorld also produced jingles for its sister stations Love Radio and Yes FM.
At present, 96.3 Easy Rock is also heard via digitalHD Radio via the HD1 channel. The HD2 channel carries the simulcast ofRadyo Natin Nationwide, ahometown-formatted national radio station owned by MBC affiliate Radyo Natin Network. The HD3 channel carries a simulcast of sister AM stationDZRH.