Progressive Broadcasting Corporation

Progressive Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) is a Philippine radio and television broadcasting company registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 1986. Its principal corporate office is in Summit One Tower in Mandaluyong. The company operates under a Philippine legislative franchise that authorizes commercial radio and television broadcasting, including digital television, and has historically generated much of its income by selling airtime to blocktimers and content providers rather than producing every program internally. PBC’s most visible television asset is the UHF station UNTV Channel 37, now commonly identified as UNTV News and Rescue. The station began in 2001 and initially developed from a music-video format associated with NU 107, the company’s alternative-rock FM brand. Its programming subsequently shifted toward religious, news, public-affairs, information, and public-service content. Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International, Inc. (BMPI), led by broadcaster and television host Daniel Razon, became the station’s operating and content provider in 2007. Under BMPI’s direction, UNTV was repositioned as a public-service-oriented network, later using the “News and Rescue” identity and the “Kasangbahay Network” positioning. The company’s principal FM property in Mega Manila is DWNU 107.5, currently branded Wish 107.5. The frequency began broadcasting in 1987 and became known for NU 107, an influential alternative and rock music station associated with banker and businessman Atom Henares and radio veteran Mike Pedero. NU 107 ended its final broadcast on November 7, 2010, after which the frequency was relaunched as 107.5 Win Radio. Win Radio left the frequency in June 2014 and moved to 91.5 FM. PBC then worked with BMPI on a new station, Wish FM, which was soft-launched in June 2014 and formally introduced as Wish 107.5 in August of that year. The brand became particularly associated with live performances and music programming supplied by BMPI. PBC also operated or controlled provincial FM outlets carrying the Win Radio identity in cities including Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and Iloilo. These provincial stations did not necessarily follow the same branding and operational arrangements as the Mega Manila frequency. In 2016, following the passage of legislation concerning the stations, the provincial operations were acquired by Mabuhay Broadcasting System. PBC’s broadcasting authority was first established through Republic Act No. 7163, signed in 1991, which granted a 25-year franchise covering Metro Manila and selected regions. Republic Act No. 8162, approved in 1995, expanded the authorized service area throughout the Philippines. The franchise was renewed in 2016 through Republic Act No. 10820, allowing PBC to continue operating commercial radio and television stations, digital television systems, and related relay facilities nationwide for another 25 years. The company remains best understood as a broadcast-license holder and platform whose principal public-facing brands are operated or programmed through outside content partners. Its business history reflects the changing Philippine media environment: analog FM radio, UHF television, blocktime arrangements, public-service broadcasting, digital terrestrial television, and evolving station identities have all formed part of PBC’s operating model.

Progressive Broadcasting Corporation was registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 1986. The company developed as a broadcast-license holder and commercial media platform, relying substantially on airtime sales and blocktime arrangements. Rather than operating all programming as an integrated in-house production business, PBC has worked with external content providers and station operators for important parts of its radio and television portfolio. PBC received its first legislative franchise under Republic Act No. 7163 on November 19, 1991. The law gave the company authority to establish and operate commercial radio and television stations in Metro Manila, Region I, Region VI, and Region VII. Republic Act No. 8162, approved in 1995, amended the franchise and expanded the authorized area to the whole Philippines. A further renewal was approved through Republic Act No. 10820 in 2016 after legislative action in 2015 and 2016. The renewed franchise covers radio, television, digital television systems, and associated facilities such as relay stations. The company’s radio history is closely linked to the 107.5 FM frequency in Mega Manila. In August 1987, the frequency began experimental broadcasting before adopting the DWNU call sign and the NU 107 identity. Associated with Atom Henares and Mike Pedero, NU 107 was built around new wave, alternative, and rock music and became known for presenting a youth-oriented format with an emphasis on musical taste and discovery. After more than two decades, NU 107 ended its run on November 7, 2010. The frequency was rebranded as 107.5 Win Radio on November 9, 2010, shifting to a mass-oriented format. Win Radio’s Mega Manila service ended on June 26, 2014, and the brand transferred to 91.5 FM. PBC subsequently entered a new content arrangement with BMPI. A new station was previewed during a UNTV anniversary concert in June 2014 and formally launched at the World Trade Center in Pasay in August. The resulting Wish FM, later known as Wish 107.5, became PBC’s flagship FM identity in Mega Manila. Provincial PBC frequencies in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and Iloilo retained the Win Radio branding for a period, although those stations were later acquired by Mabuhay Broadcasting System in 2016. PBC entered television through UNTV Channel 37 in July 2001. The station initially carried music-related material and was partly understood as a television extension of the NU 107 environment. Early programming included the entertainment program Strangebrew. Beginning in 2003, UNTV also carried religious programming from Ang Dating Daan, and in 2004 it added content from Tapatan, Inc., associated with broadcaster Jay Sonza. The station gradually moved away from music videos and toward continuous religious, news, information, and public-affairs programming. In 2007, BMPI, led by broadcaster Daniel Razon, assumed the operational and content-provider role for UNTV. Under this arrangement, UNTV developed a public-service identity and became associated with the “UNTV News and Rescue” name and the “Kasangbahay Network” description. The station’s facilities have included studios at the La Verdad Christian College Building in Caloocan, while a larger broadcast center in Quezon City has been planned or constructed. UNTV also tested the Philippine ISDB-T digital terrestrial television standard in Mega Manila in 2015. Its digital programming has included Social TV and religious programming under Ang Dating Daan Television, later rebranded as Truth Channel. The history of PBC therefore reflects several transitions in Philippine broadcasting: the rise of specialized FM music formats, the conversion of UHF television from music programming to public-service and information broadcasting, the use of blocktime and content-provider models, and the gradual adoption of digital television. The company’s public profile is chiefly represented by UNTV and Wish 107.5, while its corporate role remains tied to its national franchise and broadcast infrastructure.

1. 2016Franchise renewed

   Republic Act No. 10820 renewed PBC’s broadcasting franchise for another 25 years.

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2. 2015UNTV tests digital terrestrial television

   UNTV began testing ISDB-T digital terrestrial television transmission in Mega Manila.

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3. 2014Wish FM launches

   Following Win Radio’s move to another frequency, a BMPI-supported Wish FM service was introduced on 107.5 FM.

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4. 2010NU 107 is replaced by Win Radio

   NU 107 ended on November 7, and 107.5 FM was relaunched as Win Radio on November 9.

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5. 2007BMPI assumes UNTV operating role

   BMPI became UNTV’s content provider and helped shift the station toward a public-service positioning.

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6. 2001UNTV enters UHF television

   PBC launched UNTV Channel 37, initially with music-oriented programming.

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7. 1995National franchise expansion

   Republic Act No. 8162 expanded PBC’s authorized franchise area throughout the Philippines.

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8. 1991Initial legislative franchise

   Republic Act No. 7163 granted PBC a 25-year commercial radio and television franchise covering Metro Manila and selected regions.

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9. 1987107.5 FM begins broadcasting

   The frequency that later became associated with NU 107, Win Radio, and Wish 107.5 began broadcasting in August 1987.

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10. 1986Corporate registration

    Progressive Broadcasting Corporation was registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 1986.

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A Philippine broadcast platform focused on commercial radio and television, with major public-facing properties operated or programmed through content-provider partnerships. Its best-known current identities combine public-service television through UNTV News and Rescue with music-oriented FM radio through Wish 107.5.

• UNTV News and RescueUHF television network2001

  PBC’s flagship television property, launched on UHF Channel 37 in 2001. It began with music-video programming and later developed into a 24-hour service featuring religious programs, news, information, public affairs, and public-service content. BMPI has operated and provided content for the station since 2007. UNTV has also operated digital subchannels, including Social TV and a religious service later known as Truth Channel.

• Wish 107.5FM radio station2014

  PBC’s flagship Mega Manila FM station on 107.5 MHz. The frequency was previously known as NU 107 and Win Radio before BMPI became its content provider in 2014. Wish 107.5 carries music programming and features associated with BMPI, including live performance-oriented content.

• NU 107FM radio station1987

  The former identity of PBC’s 107.5 FM station in Mega Manila. Established in 1987, it became known for new wave, alternative, and rock music aimed at younger listeners. The station ended its broadcast under the NU 107 name in November 2010 before the frequency became Win Radio.

• Win RadioFM radio station brand2010

  A mass-market radio identity used on PBC’s 107.5 FM frequency from 2010 to 2014. The Mega Manila service later moved to 91.5 FM, while provincial stations in several Philippine cities retained the Win Radio branding for a time.

• 2016Broadcasting franchise is renewedOther

  PBC’s existing legislative franchise was approaching the end of its original term.

  What changed. Republic Act No. 10820 renewed the franchise for 25 years and included authority for digital television and related relay facilities.

  Aftermath. PBC retained the legal basis to operate commercial radio and television services throughout the Philippines.

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• 2014Wish FM is launched on 107.5 FMProduct launch

  Win Radio’s Mega Manila service had moved from 107.5 FM to 91.5 FM.

  What changed. PBC entered a content-provider arrangement with BMPI and introduced Wish FM, formally launching the service in August 2014.

  Aftermath. The station later became known as Wish 107.5 and became PBC’s principal Mega Manila FM identity.

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• 2010107.5 FM changes from NU 107 to Win RadioGeneration change

  PBC ended the long-running NU 107 alternative-rock format on November 7, 2010.

  What changed. The frequency was relaunched as 107.5 Win Radio two days later with a mass-oriented format.

  Aftermath. The change ended the NU 107 era and began a sequence of major identity changes on the 107.5 FM frequency.

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• 2007UNTV is repositioned as a public-service channelStrategy

  UNTV had moved beyond its initial music-video identity and was carrying religious, news, and information programming.

  What changed. PBC placed UNTV’s operations and content provision with BMPI, led by Daniel Razon, which developed the station’s public-service orientation.

  Aftermath. UNTV became associated with public-service, news, rescue, religious, and information programming rather than its original rock and music-video format.

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• 2016PBC franchise renewed for another 25 years

  Republic Act No. 10820 renewed PBC’s franchise and authorized commercial radio, television, digital television, and related relay facilities throughout the Philippines.

  Regulation
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• 2014Wish FM is introduced on the 107.5 frequency

  After Win Radio moved to 91.5 FM, BMPI became the content provider for a new service on 107.5 FM. The service was soft-launched in June and formally launched as Wish FM in August.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2010NU 107 ends broadcasting on 107.5 FM

  The long-running NU 107 alternative-rock station aired its final broadcast on November 7, ending the frequency’s original major branding era.

  Product generation
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• 2010107.5 FM becomes Win Radio

  Two days after NU 107’s final broadcast, the Mega Manila frequency was relaunched as 107.5 Win Radio with a mass-market format.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2007BMPI takes over UNTV operations

  Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International became the operating and content provider for UNTV and helped reposition the channel as a public-service network.

  Leadership change
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• 2001UNTV launches on UHF television

  PBC entered UHF television through UNTV Channel 37, which initially developed as a music-video-oriented station before moving toward religious, news, information, and public-service programming.

  Product launch
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• 1995PBC franchise expanded nationwide

  Republic Act No. 8162 amended the company’s franchise and extended its authorized broadcasting operations throughout the Philippines.

  Regulation
  Source
• 1991PBC receives its original legislative franchise

  Republic Act No. 7163 granted PBC a 25-year franchise to construct, install, operate, and maintain commercial radio and television stations in Metro Manila and selected Philippine regions.

  Regulation
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1. Progressive Broadcasting Corporation