Bombo Radyo Holdings, Inc. (d/b/a Bombo Radyo Philippines) is a Philippineradio network of the Florete Group of Companies, which also manages banking and pawnshop operations. Its main office and headquarters are located at Florete Bldg., 2406 Nobel corner Edison Streets, Barangay San Isidro, Makati. It operates several stations across the country under the Bombo Radyo and Star FM brands. Currently, most of its stations are licensed to People's Broadcasting Service, Inc. (PBS),[1] while a handful of its AM stations are licensed to Newsounds Broadcasting Network, Inc. (NBN).[2]Consolidated Broadcasting System, Inc. (CBS)[3] formerly served as licensee for some of its FM stations from 1992 until 2018, when PBS took over as their licensee, following the former's non-renewal.[4]
Named after the Spanish language name for a drum, the bass drum and its beats serve as the network's sonic identity, commonly used between breaks during newscasts.[5][6]
Its flagship station, Bombo Radyo Iloilo, based in Iloilo City, was founded on July 6, 1966. Since the beginning of operations, the station's studios were located inside the Florete Building in Mapa Street in Iloilo City Proper, until they were relocated to the Bombo Radyo Broadcast Center alongside Luna Street in La Paz District. The station has been the top radio station since its inception during the 1970s.
DYFM was then part of the Northern Broadcasting Corporation. Don Marcelino, the grand old man of Bombo Radyo, accepted a joint venture agreement with former Ilocos Sur Governor, Antonio D. Villanueva, enabling the station to begin its broadcasts.
From humble beginnings and starting with a small number of employees, the Florete Group then acquired the operations of NBC with ten stations and two affiliates in the whole archipelago. It also entered a management alliance together with Consolidated Broadcasting Systems, Newsounds Broadcasting Network and People's Broadcasting Service. From 1967 to 1975, Bombo Radyo Philippines established every station in Laoag, Vigan, Cauayan, Bacolod, General Santos, Palawan, Baguio, Daet and Davao.
In 1976, Dr. Rogelio Florete, through the advice of his mother Doña Salome Florete, had started to helm the day-to-day operations of Bombo Radyo. In the same year, the network launched its first FM station DYRF. From then on, the network continued to expand to several markets, including the acquisition of DWXB from Universal Broadcasting Network in 1987, which would later on carry the call letters DWSM.
Radio stations
The following is a list of radio stations owned and affiliated by Bombo Radyo Philippines.[7][8]
Despite not having an AM station in Manila (though maintaining a newsroom and headquarters in Makati), Bombo Radyo Philippines' AM division consistently earns strong ratings particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
Most of Bombo Radyo AM stations are licensed to People's Broadcasting Service, except some (‡) which are licensed to Newsounds Broadcasting Network.[9]
Bombo Radyo's FM network group, popularly known as Star FM, is as strong as its sister AM network. Its flagship station based in Iloilo and it is one of the leading FM stations in Metro Manila, despite the presence of numerous other FM stations and stiff competition from major (government and privately-owned), minor and provincial radio networks.
The network's strongest market segment is composed of provincial or rural residents currently residing in Manila, aided by its strong brand recognition in the provinces. Until April 22, 1994, Bombo Radyo managed its FM stations locally, each with its own unique brand name. However, this all changed on that date in April 1994, when the network officially rebranded all 22 FM stations under the Star FM name.
Unfortunately, due to financial losses caused by a decline in the network's income during 2001, the number of FM stations was reduced from 22 to 11. 95.1 Star FM Tacloban was rebranded as Bombo Radyo Tacloban and now shares the same vision and objectives. The rebranding proved successful, as Star FM now enjoys strong ratings nationwide. Star FM stations are sometimes used for news gathering, especially during local and national elections, coverage of important Senate and House hearings, severe weather events (such as typhoons), disasters, breaking news, or other important news events when warranted.
All Star FM stations have been licensed to People's Broadcasting Service since 2018.
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