DWUN

DWUN (1350 kHz AM), branded as Radyo La Verdad 1350kHz, is a 24-hour news and public service AM radio station serving the Mega Manila market. The station is owned by the Progressive Broadcasting Corporation. The station's studio is located at UNTV Building, #907 EDSA, Philam Homes, Quezon City, while its newly upgraded 50,000 watt transmitter is located at Barrio Muzon, Malabon City, Metro Manila, Republic of the Philippines.

Background

As DZXQ (1972-2011)

Previously owned by Mabuhay Broadcasting Systems, Inc., DZXQ is a fully maintained station filled with blocktimers except for Sunday. It is the first AM station which aired Chinese Programming from 9pm - 12mn. The station also aired music programming when no blocktimers are on the air. Back then, it operated daily from 5 am to 12 midnight.

DZXQ was the home of Powerhouse Broadcasters such as Nar Pineda, Roger Arienda, Rolly Canon, Narissa Gonzalez, Ducky Paredes, Jhino Parrucho, Ruben Ilagan, Popo Villanueva, Roland Lumagbas, Dr. Erick San Juan and Reggie Vizmanos. It was also the home to An Affair with Baby Tsina, a lifestyle radio show.

On February 28, 2011, DZXQ ceased operations, a few days after a new set of investors acquired the station, whose immediate plans are to close only for six months, but the plan was later shelved. Nar Pineda and the Powerhouse Broadcasters were forced to move to DWSS, while some moved to DWBL.

As DWUN Radyo La Verdad (2011-present)

First logo

In late 2011, it was reported that the set of investors are associated with Daniel Razon, the chair/CEO of Progressive Broadcasting Corporation/Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International. Since November 2011, it was on its test broadcast, airing UNTV's feed and changed its callsign to DWUN. It also expanded into a 24/7 operating station.

Radio La Verdad 1350 kHz, UNTV’s AM radio arm, was launched on January 16, 2012. Its mission is to bring back the glory of radio, from the current trend which is radio sans images or “Radio on TV” (TeleRadyo). UNTV Radio also introduced a mobile radio booth, a first in Philippine Radio history, where it broadcast from a specific location via see thru mobile studio vehicle.^[1]

Radio La Verdad can also be heard via live streaming using the UNTV Mobile App. Launched last April 20, 2013, the app developed by ADDSLIFE B&M Network Inc. can be downloaded on Apple iOS and Google Android devices for free.^[2]

Upon takeover, the new management had to face challenges in DZXQ's old and obsolete facilities. These include transmitter room and improvised "catwalk" made of bamboo, both in deplorable condition, apart from its very weak signal even in nearby cities.

UNTV-BMPI gradually upgraded its AM radio facilities. These include the construction of new transmitter house in Barrio Muzon, Malabon City, new concrete "catwalk" going to the transmitter formerly made of bamboo and installation of a new transmitter tower. In addition, the station is now using a modern radio booth and control room located at the UNTV Building.

Recent developments

On August 13, 2016, BMPI CEO Daniel Razon announced that the station acquired a new 50-kW solid-state AM radio transmitter to replace its old analog tube-type 10-kW transmitter after almost 4 decades of operations on the old transmitting facility.

On December 6, 2016, Razon announced that UNTV Radio began its test broadcast using its new transmitter. It is expected to operate on full power by the end of December 2016 or early January 2017. This will make UNTV Radio at par with high-powered AM stations in Mega Manila in terms of power output, resulting in the expansion of the station's coverage areas and improvement in reception.^[3]

In addition, UNTV Radio will also be expanding its reach to include other provinces by building new relay stations, in either AM or FM band where the frequencies are still available.^[4]

On February 13, 2017, As PBC flagship UHF TV network, UNTV News and Rescue gave its logo an overhaul in July 2016, the "UNTV Radio" brand was dropped and rebranded as "Radyo La Verdad 1350" with new logo and new slogan "Totoong Balita, Tunay na Kalinga para sa Kapwa" (Truthful News, True Care for the People).

Notable anchors

Current

• Bro. Eli Soriano
• Kuya Daniel Razon

PBC AM Stations

References