NEWS and public service radio station DWIZ is undergoing a major revamp in its programming starting this January 30—or 74 years after it first began operations as DZPI, 51 years after it first adopted its present call letters in 1972, and a 32 years after it was acquired by Aliw Broadcasting Corporation.
Largely known for much of the 1970s and 1980s as a Top 40 music station under its previous owners, the Manila Broadcasting Company, DWIZ transitioned into a full news and talk format when Aliw Broadcasting took over its operations in 1991.
Although the station will retain its news and talk format, the new programs will reflect a more dynamic approach that is more attuned with the times as envisioned by Aliw Broadcasting chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon and company president Randy Cabangon.
To fulfill this vision, the network’s newly-appointed executive vice president and general manager, Atty. McNeil Rante; and Dennis Antenor Jr., vice president for business development, are working in tandem to reflect the changes in programming.
Antenor, who has worked in the broadcast industry for over 20 years, was particularly brought in to see what changes would work and what will not, given his experience. Along with Rante, he immediately recognized that the morning shows are the ones that need to be beefed up first.
“People want fast-paced information, to deliver the most important news and information in a very timely manner. The credibility of the news and information is very important, especially in the morning. In radio, you win the morning, you win the game,” Antenor underscored.
“It starts with Drew Nacino anchoring his program, Gising from 5-6AM. After that comes the newscast and current affairs show of seasoned broadcasters David Oro and Jon Ibañez. Nandiyan na kasi yung bakbakan [That’s where the competition is tough],” Rante revealed.
Amid the morning revamp, the popular commentary program Karambola will be retained. Hosted by Conrad Banal, Joel Lacsamana, Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles, Jonathan dela Cruz and Atty. Larry Gadon, the show rules its 8 to 10AM time slot from Mondays to Fridays. Rante said the show is a consistent top-rater for DWIZ, so management sees no reason to replace it.
Antenor himself will host the 10AM newscast followed by another newscast program hosted by Atty. Ferdinand Topacio at 11AM.
And then at 12 noon, David Oro returns with Bali-Tambayan which, as Antenor aptly describes it, is a “tambayan ng mga balita, tambayan ng mga latest na impormasyon [a hub of news, a hub of the latest information].”
Rante said that since Aliw Broadcasting Corporation has now acquired the former Studio 23 of ABS-CBN or ABS-CBN’s Sports & Action, and will be re-launching it as Aliw23, part of its content will be DWIZ’s morning newscast.
As part of the morning newscast, Antenor said there will also be 30-second to one-minute segments that focus and explain the issues of the day. These news segments are designed to cater to DWIZ’s target audience of 25- to 45-year-old working millennials who he said are “the ones who are in most need of information, news and updates.”
Rante and Antenor further noted that even as more changes will take place within the year, seasoned sportscaster Anthony Suntay has already been tapped to host his own sports program. In line with their vision to strengthen DWIZ’s global appeal, a program focusing on the fandom of popular Korean entertainment is also in the works.
The company also intends to strengthen its social media presence with original and specialized content designed to bring the station’s personalities at the forefront.
Image credits: Roy Domingo