DWYS

DWYS (101.1 FM), broadcasting as 101.1 Yes FM, is a radio station owned and operated by MBC Media Group through its licensee Pacific Broadcasting System. It serves as the flagship station of the Yes FM Network. The station's studio is located at the second floor, MMG Building, Star City, V. Sotto St., CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay, and its transmitter is located at the BSA Twin Towers, Bank Drive, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, sharing the same site with sister stations 90.7 Love Radio and 96.3 Easy Rock.

As of Q4 2022, 101.1 Yes FM is the 4th-most-listened-to FM radio station in Metro Manila, based on a survey commissioned by Kantar Media Philippines and Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.

History

1968–1985: DZFX

The station first went on the air on May 31, 1968 under the call letters DZFX. The country's first stereo-multiplex FM radio station, it was under the ownership of Makati Broadcasting Network Corporation, owned by businessmen Tony and Bob Garcia and Adolfo Duarte. It played classical music and " elevator music" and non-commercial station 98.7 DZFE was its only competitor. On October 11, 1985, a few minutes before 12 noon, it bade goodbye with a Mozart piece.

1985–1989: Kiss FM

Shortly after DZFX 101.1's sign off on October 11, 1985, it was rebranded as Kiss FM 101.1 (call letters DWKS) with studios located at 14th floor of Insular Life Building at Ayala Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati, with " Dancing in the Streets" by Mick Jagger and David Bowie, as its first song played on the station. It introduced innovations like having the frequency number on its telephone number, programs like ''Top 20 at 12'' and the launch date as 10–11, standing as the frequency. From 1985, it had the Contemporary Hit Radio format, competing directly with 99.5 RT (now 99.5 Play FM) and 97.1 WLS-FM (now Barangay LS 97.1). Singer Martin Nievera also worked with the station under the name "Mad Man" and had his program every Saturday afternoon.

1989–1995: Kiss Jazz

It changed its name to Kiss Jazz 101.1 and transformed into a smooth jazz format from June 1989 to December 1995 competing directly with Citylite 88.3 (now Jam 88.3) before it quietly went off the air.

1995–1998: Showbiz Tsismis

On December 18, 1995, Manila Broadcasting Company acquired 101.1 FM from Makati Broadcasting Network, launching 101.1 Showbiz Tsismis, the country's first FM station to blend show business gossip with music. Operating under the call sign DWST, which stood for ''"Showbiz Tsismis"'' (Showbiz Gossip), the station moved its studio to the FJE Building in Legazpi Village, Makati, integrating them with the existing DZRH facilities

101.1 Showbiz Tsismis distinguished itself by incorporating show business news reports delivered by reporters in a style similar to AM stations. It is also made history by being the first Philippine radio station to simulcast its programming via satellite.

1998–present: Yes! FM/Yes! The Best

On December 6, 1998, 101.1 was re-launched as Yes! FM 101.1 with new call letters DWYS. Shifting to a mass-based format, similar to its sister station 90.7 Love Radio it quickly became the undisputed number 1 FM station from 1999 to 2002.

In July 2002, all Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) stations relocated from the FJE Building in Makati to the Star City Complex in Pasay, Philippines.

In 2008, Yes! FM 101.1 underwent another repackaging, adopting the slogan "Automatic 'Yan!" (It's Automatic!). While its playlist closely mirrored that of 90.7 Love Radio, its overall programming maintained a distinct identity.

As part of the "Radyo? Dalawa Lang Yan!" () campaign, launched by Yes! FM and Love Radio in early 2011, a significant DJ reshuffle occurred in 2012. Several DJs from 90.7 Love Radio including Rica Herra, Missy Hista, Rico Pañero and Lala Banderas moved to Yes! FM 101.1. In exchange, Diego Bandido, Emma Harot, Kristine Dera and Robin Sienna transferred to Love Radio. This shift also coincided with Yes! FM 101.1's new "Hayahay" branding, a slogan that was subsequently adopted by other Yes! FM, Hot FM, and Love Radio stations.

In 2014, Yes! FM was awarded the Gawad Tanglaw Hall of Fame award, having been awarded as the Best FM Station for five consecutive years.

Since 2015, Yes! FM has integrated "Hayahay" quotes, often based on one-peso scenarios, into its on-air banters. For example, a common quote is: ''"Kung Piso lang sana ang hot meals sa Cebu Pacific... Ay! Hayahay ang Buhay!" (If only hot meals on Cebu Pacific were just one peso... Oh! Life is easy/comfortable!).''

On July 18, 2016, at 6:00 AM, the station rebranded as 101.1 Yes! The Best, adopting the new slogan, "The Millennials' Choice." This change also marked the removal of its Sunday playlist and shift in DJ on-air delivery, with hosts now speaking a mix of English and Tagalog, a departure from its sister station's style.

On May 1, 2017, 101.1 Yes! The Best launched the Yes! The Best App, a pioneering mobile application that introduced the first social TV experience for FM radio in the Philippines. Concurrently, all provincial Yes! FM stations were also rebranded as Yes! The Best.

On August 10, 2018, Yes! The Best Manila's YouTube channel was awarded a Silver Play Button for surpassing 100,000 subscribers. As of May 2025, the channel boasts over 600,000 subscribers and continues to grow, offering a diverse range of content including vlogs, dance challenges, and radio show segments.

The station introduced a new DJ, Mega Wanda, on October 1, 2018. However, Ganda Wanda resigned and left the station on October 26, 2018. Following this, Mega Wanda continued solo, adopting Ganda Wanda as her new on-air name.

On December 8, 2018, the station marked its 20th anniversary. To commemorate the milestone, its YouTube channel uploaded a thanksgiving video celebrating two decades of broadcasting.

On October 2, 2019, a major fire originating from the nearby Star City theme park affected the main studios of 101.1 Yes the Best and its sister MBC radio stations at the MBC Building, CCP Complex in Pasay. In interim, Yes! The Best currently broadcasts from its backup studio in BSA Twin Towers, where its transmitter is located.

After a two year hiatus, on November 15, 2021, Yes! The Best Manila, along with its sister stations Love Radio Manila and Easy Rock Manila, returned to the newly renovated MBC Building within the Star City complex which was still undergoing rehabilitation and reconstruction. On the same day, MBC relaunched its new corporate slogan, ''Sama-Sama Tayo, Pilipino!'' () accompanied by updated logos of all MBC radio stations.

On February 5, 2024, Yes! The Best Manila and its provincial counterparts reverted to their original branding as Yes! FM. This change coincided with the rebranding of their parent company, Manila Broadcasting Company, to MBC Media Group the following day.

References

External links

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Archive of Old DWYS Logos (c. 1997)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dwys
OPM formatted radio stations in the Philippines
Pacific Broadcasting Systems stations
101.1 Yes The Best
Radio stations established in 1980
Manila Broadcasting Company