DZRH-TV was the flagship VHF TV station of Philippines media network Manila Broadcasting Company. It aired from April 11, 1962, to September 23, 1972, and had relay stations in 6 key cities in the Philippines. Its studios were located in the Jai Alai Building. It was shut down permanently during the martial law decreed by President Ferdinand Marcos.
History
Pioneer operators (1962–1972)
On April 11, 1962, at 7:30 pm, the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), through its subsidiary, the Metropolitan Broadcasting Company, launched DZRH-TV on VHF channel 11.
On January 9, 1972, MBC inaugurated its new building for the TV station. President
Ferdinand Marcos attended the ceremony.
However, a few months later on September 23, 1972, the government forced the TV station along with
DZRH and other assets of the company to cease operations in the wake of Marcos' declaration of martial law. The status of the pre-martial law program archives of channel 11 is unknown.
Failed bid of restoration
After the 1986 People Power Revolution, MBC attempted to bring it back on the air; however in January 1992, the NTC disqualified them for a VHF frequency application because the agency found MBC "not legally, technically and financially qualified to operate the station".
As a result, the license was eventually acquired by
El Shaddai-led Delta Broadcasting System, Inc. in 1995, with the frequency's new callsign
DWXI-TV. DBS later moved to channel 35, when ZOE Broadcasting Network. ZBN head Jesus Is Lord Church leader Brother
Eddie Villanueva bought channel 11 from DBS in 1998 and created
DZOE-TV, which was occupied by GMA News TV (formerly ZOE TV and QTV/Q). It discontinued operations in June 5, 2019, because the blocktime agreement between ZOE Broadcasting Network and GMA Network was not renewed, so GMA News TV moved to
DWDB-TV Channel 27 (renamed as GTV on February 22, 2021), for the remainder of the analog transmission run. Channel 11 became affiliated with
ABS-CBN as A2Z, 5 months after channel 2's shutdown due to a cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission for an expired franchise on May 5, 2020, and their frequencies were later recalled, with channel 2's frequency taken over by AMBS'
All TV.
Ironically, MBC was one of the two remaining pre-Martial Law TV operators who did not revive at the height of the sequestrations months after the 1986 Revolution, along with DWET-TV. It relaunched in 1991 with different calls, DWET-TV; and a different corporate name, Associated Broadcasting Company.
MBC returned to TV, albeit on cable as TV Natin in 2007 branded as DZRH News Television.
Proposed plan of revival on digital television
In February 2024, MBC Media Group revealed plans to revive the station, this time on Digital Terrestrial Television, as the company ventures into multimedia. It became initially available in Visayas Region (Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu only) under Test Broadcast phase. It platform has yet to start digital TV operations in Mega Manila and nearby provinces.
Programming
Analog era (1962–1972)
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Straight from the Shoulder (1970–1972, moved to GMA News and Public Affairs from 1987 to 1994)
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Darigold Jamboree
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DJ Dance Time
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Gabi ng Lagim (TV version) (1962–1972)
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Ano Ang Balita (1962–1972)
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The Nite Owl Dance Party
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Etchos Lang (Justo Justo)
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Catch Up with Tirso (1970–1972)
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Etcetera, Etcetera (sitcom) (1967)
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Aking Talaarawan
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Reyna ng Tahanan
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Balitang Barbero (1965)
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MICAA
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Your Esso Reporter (1962–1972)
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The 11th Hour News
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Tayo'y Mag-Hapi-Hapi
See also
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MBC Media Group
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DZRH
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DZRH News Television
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List of MBC Media Group stations
