DZMB

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

History

Early years

Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) founded the first music radio station in Manila under the callsign KZMB, which started its operations on the AM band on July 1, 1946, and was then originally broadcast at 760 kHz on the AM band. The station was assigned to Cebu Broadcasting Company, an associate to the Elizalde family which also owns MBC. It also served as the sister station of DZRH and another established station DZPI in 1949.

In 1948, following the international telecommunications conference in the United States where the Philippines changed its first letter to "D", KZMB changed its callsign to DZMB.

In September 1972, when President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law, the dictatorship shut down and took over radio stations to silenced public criticism and opposition by controlling information that people had access to. DZMB was then allowed to resume operations a few months later.

Conversion into FM broadcasting

On February 14, 1975, MBC converted DZMB to the FM band, assigned at 90.7 MHz. The station maintained its music programming but it began airing as an easy listening-formatted station, earning the on-air moniker known as "Beautiful Music". Most notable personalities who worked on the station during that time were Mel Tiangco, Jay Sonza, and Reysie Amado.

In the 1980s, Manuelito "Manny" F. Luzon took over the management of the station, and reforming DZMB 90.7 under the new identity: 90.7 Love Radio. With this new strategy, 90.7 Love Radio became one of the most-listened to stations in Manila.

The station's easy listening format lasted for over the next two decades until the beginning of the new millennium.

The ''Kabisyo'' era and the ratings game

On February 14, 2000, marking its 25th anniversary, 90.7 Love Radio was relaunched with a fresh new logo and the catchy tagline ''"Kailangan pa bang i-memorize 'yan? Bisyo na 'to!"-'' phrases that soon became part of the everyday vocabulary of many Filipinos. Following the relaunch, the station was reformatted into a masa-oriented contemporary MOR (Middle of the Road) station, inspired by the rising popularity of its sister station, Yes FM 101.1. In the years that followed, 90.7 Love Radio steadily climbed the ratings, eventually surpassing Yes FM 101.1 to become the top-rated FM station. Its strong listener base and relatable programming helped it maintain the #1 spot in FM radio ratings for several consecutive years.

In 2004, 90.7 Love Radio became the launchpad for the careers of now-iconic radio personalities Chris Tsuper and Nicole Hyala. The duo introduced their program ''Tambalang Balasubas at Balahura'', which initially aired during a late-afternoon to early-evening time slot before moving to its current and highly popular morning schedule. Due to its massive success and loyal following, the program eventually began airing via satellite across all Love Radio stations nationwide, further cementing its status as a staple in Filipino radio entertainment.

In 2007, John Gemperle, widely known by his on-air name " Papa Jack" joined the station. He quickly rose to prominence after launching TLC: True Love Conversations, a love advice program that became one of the most popular night-time radio shows. Papa Jack remained a staple of the station until his departure on December 16, 2016. He subsequently moved to 106.7 Energy FM on March 20, 2017.

Following MBC's acquisition of 96.3 DWRK from the Hodreal family in 2008, the company strategically reallocated DZMB to its original station licensee Cebu Broadcasting Company. This move effectively transferred ownership of the newly acquired 96.3 MHz frequency to Cebu Broadcasting Company, streamlining MBC's broadcast portfolio..

On October 2, 2019, a major fire broke out at the Star City theme park, affecting the main studios of 90.7 Love Radio at the MBC Building in CCP Complex, Pasay, along with its sister stations under MBC. In the aftermath, Love Radio temporarily operated from its backup studio at the BSA Twin Towers in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, where its transmitter is located.

On November 15, 2021, after a two-year hiatus, Love Radio Manila, alongside sister stations 96.3 Easy Rock and 101.1 Yes The Best, returned to the newly-renovated MBC Building within the Star City complex, which was still undergoing rehabilitation and reconstruction at the time. That same day, MBC unveiled its new corporate slogan ''Sama-Sama Tayo, Pilipino!'' (), along with refreshed logos for all MBC radio stations. Meanwhile, MBC’s AM station, DZRH continued to operate from its interim studios at the Design Center of the Philippines, located near the MBC Building, before officially relocating on December 17, 2021.

On January 16, 2023, Love Radio introduced Angkol Dagol and Conyo Bicolano as its two newest radio jocks. A few weeks later, on March 4, 2023, the station launched its very own "Top 10 Countdown," adding an exciting element to its programming. Later that year, Love Radio expanded its initiatives by debuting its first-ever student jock program, "Love Radio Academy." Airing every Saturday afternoon, the program showcases talented student jocks from various universities and colleges, providing them with a platform to develop their skills and gain industry experience.

On January 6, 2024, Love Radio expanded its programming by bringing back DJs on weekends, ending their weekday-only schedule, aligning with the format of sister stations Yes FM and Easy Rock. Additionally, several beloved Sunday programs made their much-awaited return, including "Sunday Golden Morning," "Jukebox Hits," "Sunday Showdown," "Sunday Afternoon Special," and "Sunday Afternoon Love Drive."

On February 14, 2024, in celebration of its 49th anniversary, Love Radio launched the radio drama program "Dear Love," offering listeners heartfelt stories and relatable narratives. Alongside this exciting addition, the station also refreshed its iconic slogan: "Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan? Basic!"—reinforcing its strong presence in Philippine radio.

In October 2024, Chris Tsuper left the station to run for councilor of Lucban, Quezon for the 2025 Philippine Midterm Elections. As a result, his long-running program ''Tambalan'', co-hosted with Nicole Hyala, aired its final broadcast on October 11, 2024, marking the end of an era after more than two decades on air.

Current DJs

* Tanya Chinita
* Angkol Dagol
* Conyo Bicolano
* Nicole Hyala
* Diego Bandido
* Mara Tonee
* Kim Chino
* Raqi Terra

Former DJs

* Robin Sienna (2020–25)
* Chris Tsuper (2004–24)
* Totoy Bato (2016–24)
* Lala Banderas (2010–12; 2018–23)
* Kristine Dera (2008–10; 2012–18)
* Papa Jack (2007–16)
* Mike Enriquez (1970’s, pre Love Radio era)
* Weng dela Peña (1993–2001)

Awards

*''Best Male Disk Jockey'' - ALTA Media Icon Awards for Chris Tsuper (2016)
*''Best FM Station -'' ALTA Media Icon Awards (2016)
*''Best FM Station -'' 24th KBP Golden Dove Awards (2016)
*''Best FM Station'' - 23rd KBP Golden Dove Awards (2015)
*''Best FM Station'' - 2014 Yahoo PH Celebrity Awards
*''Best Female Disk Jockey'' for Nicole Hyala - 2013 Yahoo! OMG Awards
*''Best Female Disk Jockey'' for Nicole Hyala - 2012 Yahoo! OMG Awards
*''Best Radio Program'': Tambalang Balasubas at Balahura for Nicole Hyala and Chris Tsuper - 2012 Yahoo! OMG Awards
*''Best Male Disk Jockey'' for Papa Jack - 2012 Yahoo! OMG Awards
*''Best Male Disk Jockey'' for Papa Jack - 2013 Yahoo! OMG Awards
*''Male DJ of the Year'' for Papa Jack - 2014 Yahoo! Celebrity Awards
*''Best Radio Comedy Program'': Tambalan for Nicole Hyala and Chris Tsuper - 27th KBP Golden Dove Awards (2019)

References

{{Metro Manila Radio

OPM formatted radio stations in the Philippines
Love Radio Network stations
Radio stations in Metro Manila
Radio stations established in 1946