DZAR

History

1972–1987: DZXX/DWXX

The station was established in August 7, 1972 under the ownership of Republic Broadcasting System (now GMA Network). It carried the callsign DZXX when it was broadcasting on 1000 kHz. However, it closed shop by the time Martial Law was declared. On February 1, 1973, it went back on the air, this time under the ownership of Hypersonic Broadcasting Center. In 1975, it changed its callsign to DWXX (Double X) and switched to a news and music format. DWXX closed shop on April 15, 1987.

1987–1998: DZAM Radyo Commando

On May 10, 1987, Nation Broadcasting Corporation took over the frequency under the callsign DZAM, later known as DZAM Radyo Commando. During that period, the station operated with 10 kW output, and it featured a uniform network-type full-service format (a.k.a. TV-on-radio format), consisting of news, and well-balanced mix of talk, music and entertainment programming for listeners of all ages; the live coverage of PBA games were also aired here during that time.

1998–2005: DZAR Angel Radyo

In 1998, after NBC was acquired by PLDT's MediaQuest Holdings from the consortium led by the Yabut family and real estate magnate Manny Villar, DZAM later changed its callsign as DZAR and relaunched as Angel Radyo, with an upgraded 25 kW signal, followed by the switch to news and talkback format. Some of the personalities who worked for Angel Radyo were TV personalities Boy Abunda, Ricky Carandang, TG Kintanar, Gerry Geronimo, Angelique Lazo, Bernadette Sembrano, Gina dela Vega-Cruz, showbiz columnist Jobert Sucaldito, columnist Rina Jimenez-David, Fernan Emberga, Noli Eala and Tim Orbos.

2005–2023: DZAR Sonshine Radio

On January 29, 2005, international televangelist pastor Apollo Quiboloy acquired all of NBC's AM stations under the Swara Sug Media Corporation's ownership. This, in turn, gave birth to Sonshine Radio. At that time its studios moved from NBC Tower/Jacinta Building in EDSA, Guadalupe, Makati to Jollibee Plaza Building in Ortigas Center, Pasig, and finally upgraded to its current 50 kW output, with its news, talk and religious programming. Tony Cuevas and Mhet Miñon were the only remaining members of the Angel Radyo roster to join the rebranded station.

Its 50,000-watt broadcast signal is heard in its territorial limits (Metro Manila). It is the only Philippine station listened to all over the world live via satellite through Globecast and through the Internet at its website, thus the tag "Dinig sa buong mundo" (Heard all over the world).

In 2012, DZAR studios moved back from Jollibee Plaza Building in Ortigas Center, Pasig to the new home ACQ Tower (formerly NBC Tower/Jacinta Building) in EDSA, Guadalupe, Makati City.

On November 21, 2022, the station successfully began test broadcast on digital terrestrial television via DWAQ-TV subchannel 39.03 in Metro Manila. It comes as the station went off the air on AM radio for a period of time to give way to the transfer of its transmitter to an undisclosed area for better coverage.

2023: Suspension, cease and desist order and forced shutdown

On December 2, 2023, DZAR returned on air. However, the station, along with the rest of the network, had its operations suspended by the National Telecommunications Commission for 30 days, through an order dated December 19 but was publicized two days later, in response to a House of Representatives resolution, in relation to the alleged franchise violations. On January 18, 2024, the NTC issued a cease-and-desist order against SMNI for violating its 30-day suspension order as its TV and radio stations in Region VI were operational as of December 27, 2023. As 2024 however, the DZAR branding continues to exist on their own website and TikTok account. Meanwhile, their YouTube channel has not been accessed by administrators. Despite this, the station's programs continue to stream over Facebook page (until March 19, 2025) and YouTube channel.

On November 12, 2024, Facebook page MediaBytes reported that the National Telecommunication Commission recalled the radio frequencies given to SMNI, which includes 1026 kHz in Manila, but this was neither confirmed nor denied by both parties.

Notable on-air personalities

DZAM Ating Maaasahan/Radyo Commando

• Matutina

DZAR Angel Radyo

• Boy Abunda
• Ricky Carandang
• Bernadette Sembrano
• Rina Jimenez-David
• Noli Eala
• Cesar Chavez

DZAR Sonshine Radio

• Apollo Quiboloy
• Rodrigo Duterte
• Jay Sonza
• Juan Ponce Enrile
• Aljo Bendijo
• Mike Defensor
• Lucy Torres-Gomez
• RJ Nieto
• Ted Herbosa
• Migs Nograles
• Greco Belgica
• Lorraine Badoy
• Harry Roque
• Arnell Ignacio
• Dante "Klink" Ang

References

References

1. (1979). "The Philippines Labor Relations Journal: Vol. 12".
2. Roces, Mina. (2012). "Women's Movements and the Filipina: 1986-2008". [[University of Hawaii Press]].
3. [https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/236921/higher-rice-output-via-radio Higher rice output via radio]
4. Daanoy, Sonny. (December 21, 2023). "NTC slaps SMNI with 30-day suspension". [[Manila Bulletin]].
5. Marasigan, Lorenz. (January 24, 2024). "SMNI ordered to halt operations". Business Mirror.
6. Cariaso, Bella. (February 3, 2024). "SMNI appeals Indefinite suspension". The Philippine Star.
7. Ku, Russell. (2024-05-18). "SMNI radio station's YouTube channel can't be accessed by administrators".