Manila Top 40 station — 99.5dWR-TFM (Manila) is inviting college students this summer to join and learn from its radio workshops, dubbed The Farm Version 2.0. The station offers programs for on-air programming, radio production, and the ins and outs of the music industry.
To join, college students are asked to submit resumes either by emailing to dw r t _fm@yahoo .com or by hand-carry at UNIT 906-B Paragon Plaza, Edsa Corner Reliance Street, Mandaluyong City.
High school students may also apply along with a written parental consent.
Interested applicants will be given only until March 31, 2011 to send in their resumes.
The Drive 99.5dWR-TFM (Manila) is the flagship FM station of Real Radio Networks.
Listeners Allowed To Control Radio's Music Program
In its effort to keep listeners and potential audience to stick with radio, a company in the US came up with a project that may redefine radio as a real-time interactive medium.
Radio, has become more interactive these days. Through social media, listeners can send in messages to DJs. But control of the music program for most radio stations is still done by their staff.
Song requests can be made via Facebook, Twitter or the station website, but in these days of on-demand, instant gratifying media like YouTube and Pandora, the delayed and more often less granted song request isn’t really much appealing to young and evolving listeners.
So, Listener Driven Radio or LDR (ldrradio.com) created a program that will allow listeners to pick which song is to be played next. It doesn’t work like the regular song request features on most radio websites, where you type in or check-box a song title/artist, hit a “SEND” button and hope the DJ picks your request.
But in LDR, the listener is given a lineup of songs and he arranges them according to his preferred sequence, which pretty much works like how you sequence songs on your Winamp or Windows Media Player, where you “push up” a song or songs you want to listen next.
Of course, since there will be plenty of other users re-arranging the list, each “push up” of a song (is considered a vote). The song with the most “push ups” (I don’t like how that sounds), gets to be played next.
This indeed gives the control of the station’s music programming to the listeners.
But it has of course, some drawbacks. Abuse of this service may include fans of certain artists to conspire a “push up” of a song so it gets played more often.
This is addressed however by limiting the hours when the listeners can use the service. Some stations allow such feature on their 3-5 pm afternoon drive only.
This isn’t actually new to internet radio stations, who have already introduced an on-demand or instant play of a song request. Stations that particularly use the SAM Broadcaster software can let users request a song and get it played instantly.
Services like these really give the users the democracy on a station’s music program. What do you think of this attempt of turning radio into an on-demand medium? Will you be using such listener-control features to your audience?
No, radio is not yet dead in the Philippines. But in the past years, we’ve seen drastic changes on programming and branding. Is this for good, for better or for worse? Here are some truths about these changes?
1. Stations flip to “masa” formats because it’s where most listeners are
2. High end and niche stations (e.g. NU 107) sign off because niche listenership declines
3. Class A-B audience now has internet radio, iPods, and other on-demand media for music
4. Advertisers pay more on “masa” stations because it’s where most listeners are
5. Most radio listeners prefer “masa” stations for their entertainment value
6. Most radio listeners prefer “masa” stations for MORE popular songs
7. Most radio listeners prefer “masa” stations for their use of Filipino/local dialect
8. Most “masa” format flips reasoned that they only want to extend their demos, truth is, they MORE money.
9. More “masa” flipping stations in the country means less Top 40 stations
10. Which translates to slimmer airplay for niche musicians and artists
11. This also means recording companies will have to hire and record more “masa” appealing singers and bands.
12. More “masa” stations mean less English-speaking radio stations.
13. “Masa” stations are actually more of “talk-based” programming
14. With more “talk-based” programs on masa stations, listeners will now start seeking for alternative all-music programs.
15. There’s a significant number of FM listeners tuning in via cellphone, which means FM is a part of their daily lifestyle
16. Which means, listeners need news on FM while riding jeepney going to work/school
17. This means, listeners need music on their background and not just talk while at work
18. There are still a significant number of niche radio listeners, it’s just that radio stations aren’t doing something to keep them.
There might be more truths about the exodus of radio stations to the Masa format, but we get the point. Just because this “barriotic” formats are what most listeners want, doesn’t mean you have to slam it on their face and give them loads of it. Nobody wants to have sardines as their breakfast everyday of the year.
We just hope stations give listeners variety. In an article posted online, DJ Mo is Magic 89.9 expressed his thoughts on the current radio scene. He sees that while masa stations are flourishing, English-speaking radio stations will continue to exist.
“It is like music. Just because a Filipino singer like Jovit Baldivino is popular, [that does not mean] all singers will be like him. Of course rock will exists, there will still be bands. There is Korean-Pop. We all thrive on variety, and radio is just like that,” Mo Twister told BusinessWorld.
Jeffrey O. Valisno has an interesting article about the Changing Landscape of FM Radio in the Philippines. Read here
Burbank, CA – R Dub!, veteran programmer and host of the #1 rated weekend show Sunday Nite Slow Jams with R Dub! is rolling out the second iteration of his popular program. Slow Jams POP features a new mainstream-leaning playlist that meets the needs of Top 40 and CHR affiliates. “I can’t tell you how many Pop PDs have showed interest in Sunday Nite Slow Jams over the years and wanted a version for their format. I’m happy to say that it’s here, and this new mainstream version of the show will be just as successful, if not more so, than our Rhythm show,” says R Dub!
With a list of over 50 Rhythm/Urban stations already on board, R Dub! now sets his sites on CHR. “We’re a Top 40 Mainstream with a slight Rhythmic lean. Slow Jams POP fits that perfectly,” says Special Ed from Channel 96-1 (WIBT-FM Charlotte).
Slow Jams POP still brings your favorite features and dedications every Sunday night, and now has the flexibility offered by mainstream friendly artists like Drake, Mariah Carey, Usher and Nicki Minaj.
Both versions of Slow Jams are distributed by Westwood One, with affiliate support provided by Benztown Radio Networks. To put Slow Jams on your station, contact Benztown Radio Networks.
TV5 a rising TV network in the Philippines is expanding broadcast operations to radio, taking on NewsTalk programming on the FM band. 92.3 NewsFM opened last November 8, a format flip from its predecessor DWFM U92. The claim is ambitious: the first NewsTalk Radio on FM, the catchphrase – “Iwanan mo na ang lumang tunog ng AM Radio”, ditch the old sound of AM Radio (referring to the mono static sound of AM band).
But is this going to work? Are Filipinos ready to listen to news on FM?
Indeed, it is a breath of fresh air for Filipinos to listen to news on FM. It’s not surprising for some however since FM stations have already been carrying hourly news segments on their programs. But a complete newstalk radio on FM is a novel idea.
It will take a lot of marketing however before TV5 captures an audience as huge as those of established AM stations like DZMM and DZRH. People will need to get used to listen to news on FM. TV5 will have to offer the same dynamism, quality content at par with those of major AM news stations. Quality sound does not guarantee a top rating. The leading AM station in Manila right now, DZMM broadcasts at 50,000 watts. 92.3 News FM is only throwing 25,000 watts. News FM may have CD-like quality sound, but DZMM still covers more places.
The establishment of this FM news station may also imply a new category on media awards and recognitions. 92.3 News FM cannot certainly qualify in the category “Best AM Radio Station”, so award-giving bodies will have to come up with a new category – “Best NewsTalk Radio Station”.
92.3 News FM has only been on the air for less than month, so there’s a lot to prove. The answer to the question “will it work” will depend on how the audience will react to the quality of the content News FM produces.
Fans of NU107 continue to mourn over its close-shop last November 7. Calls to revive the station and a promise to be broadcasting online seem to be comforting them while blaming continue to pour on mainstream media demands. But who is really to blame?
It is obvious that 107.5 FM’s format flip was caused by the same reasons 103.5 Max FM re-branded earlier this year. The “masa” format is selling better than upscale formats like those of NU. Radio network owners are willing to ditch an established core audience in exchange of a better money-making programming.
Big advertisers prefer the likes of 91.5 Energy FM, 90.7 Love Radio, and Tambayan 101.9 because they capture more listeners. More listeners mean more exposure and more return for their advertising investments. Can we blame advertisers?
Why are there more people listening to masa stations in the first place? Radio is a medium everyone can afford. Why can’t upscale radio station capture the same chunk of listeners “masa” stations do?
The answer lies in the name of the format itself, “pang-masa”. The challenge with upscale radio formats like CHR (the likes of Magic 89.9) and Rock (NU107), is that these are niche programmings. They cater to certain group of audience as opposed to the “masa” formats that cater to all types of audience, across all economic brackets, age groups, sex, and location.
If we can notice, the bulk of advertisements we hear on radio are geared toward the general market, e.g.: shampoos, detergents, deodorants, health products, medicines, and telecommunications.
Can we blame listeners? That there isn’t enough audience to sustain niche formats, such in the case of NU107? Or can we blame radio programmers because they can’t come up with quality, sustainable and profitable programming?
A Concerned Listener Appeals To New Station To Re-consider Programming
It has only been months since the launch of 103.5 Wow FM and they’ve already caused a stir in Manila’s airwaves. Mr. Fu captains the station with his usual funny and witty personality. DJ Laila Chikadora jumped ship from DWRR which shocked everyone. And yes, as expected, they sounded pretty much like every “masa” station brands itself. Some people find the station worth a listen.
But a concerned listener from Metro Manila, sent Wow FM a message and brought her opinion about the station’s approach. The message was sent by someone named Maruja de Vera. We wish there is a way we can contact this person for verification and clearance to re-post her message. But in the internet, we always assume anonymity. And since her post was made publicly available, we decided to quote her below.
What is your vision as a radio station? do you really know the “masa”, what we need and like? how can you reconcile enjoyment, escapism, social relevance and moral upliftment in the lives of the masses, especially the youth, in your programs? How can you market your djs and utilize their potentials without compromising their credibility and respectability? If you can answer that, then you are in top form for the radio competition– just look at where energy fm is now, in so short a time.
1. As a housewife, mother and teacher, I have reservations about recommending your station because you dwell too much on green jokes, “chorvahan”, double meaning words and suggestive sounds. Do you really think the masa is sexually hungry, guided only by sexual instincts and do not want any informative or socially/spiritually/morally relevant issues? For instance, Mr. Fu was much more interesting and helpful when he was a funny adviser in energy fm. Now he is much more preoccupied with senseless things like pronouncing the word lahveet as ridiculously as one can, making animal sounds with the help of his assistant Emily.
2. As a woman, I feel insulted that the talented and kind-hearted dj, Ms Tina Ryan, is being marketed as a seemingly cheap, sex siren. Her introductory spiel says it all. The terms short time, quickie, L na L, pink na upo, they make me cringe, and thankfully, Ms Ryan knows how to control her guests when they get vulgar. By the way, she has many student listeners. They love Tina, and unconsciously they may imbibe and may easily be influenced by the “green-ness” of her guests. I love Tina too, and will follow her to whatever station she will go; however unlike the students, I’m a discerning adult and can take the theme of her show.
3. I think you are in dire need of a program director and consultant — one who has a strong sense of what the masa wants and needs and can balance these with business.
When it comes to masa stations in Cebu, 97.1 Lupig Sila (ABS-CBN), 99.5 Nindota Ah (RGMA), 91.5 Hot FM (MBC) and 93.9 iFM (RMN) or the Big 4 come to mind first. But aside from Hot FM, everyone knows MBC had other stations running such as Easy Rock (formerly Yes FM) and Love Radio.
Love Radio is MBC’s flagship Hot AC station in the country, so it was surprising to find out that during the last few years, Love Radio went low profile in the airwaves of Sugbu. Guess, the name does not always guarantee a top rating.
But in the recent months, when Love Radio revamped its programming to conform with its mother station in Manila, updated its lineup of personalities,97.9 Love Radio is picking up listenership faster, which now shakens the established Big 4 of Cebu. Surprisingly, DYBU the legal identity of Love Radio Cebu has been around since the 1950s. In 1975, DYBU moved from AM to FM band. Continue reading 97.9 Love Radio Cebu Listenership Picks Up→
Metro Cebu is among the most dynamic radio markets in the country. Hot AC (or pang-masa) formats are ruling the airwaves. However, Top 40 stations influence many consumers as well, including the young market. Killerbee 92.3, Y101, BT 105.9, WAV FM 101.1, Wild FM 103.5 and Home Radio 106.7 are among the youth-oriented stations in the Metro. That’s how upbeat the A-B and 13-24 audience in the city, that they require 6 stations to cater their needs.
Home Radio 106.7 sets itself apart from other CHR stations by coming up with programs that are both traditional and ground-breaking. The station brands itself as “Today’s Hit Music”. I should say that amongst the Top 40 stations, Home Radio is the most youthful sounding, programming wise and DJ wise.
I happened to capture the mid morning programming of the station last October 29, 2010 with DJ Duwayne. DJ Nico is also a favorite personality from Home Radio Cebu.
Mid Morning Jam on Home Radio 106.7 Cebu with DJ Duwayne
The Edge 95.9 is now streaming via Ustream, you can check out their page. The station is also called Your iPod Radio. Edge has received positive feedback from the locals in Iligan, a city in Northern Mindanao, Philippines, since it’s the only English speaking, Top 40 format in the market.
Radio Online Now 