PBN Bicol
| TV and radio network | |
| Predecessor | Peoples Broadcasting Network |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Headquarters | Bicol Region, Philippines |
|
Key people
|
Jorge Bayona, Founder |
| Website | http://www.pbnbicol.com |
PBN Broadcasting Network, Inc. is a Bicolano commercial radio/TV broadcast media network that consists of three AM stations, three FM stations and two television stations. PBN Bicol is formerly affiliated with TV5 Network, Inc.
It was established by Jorge D. Bayona in 1958, when the people of Legazpi City and the province of Albay had only heard radio from faint broadcast signals from Metro Manila stations. PBN pioneered the broadcast industry in the Bicol region by operating the first cable radio station, "Radyo Balagon", under the banner of Bicol Wire Broadcasting System (BWBS), the parent company of what PBN Broadcasting Network, Inc. is today.
At the height of its popularity, Radyo Balagon, as it was fondly called by its subscribers, initially served 3,000 households in Legaspi and the neighboring town of Daraga. With the continuous increase of subscribers, its area of coverage was expanded to the 1st district of Albay via a cable-relay station in the city of Tabaco.
With the success of Bicol Wire Broadcasting System (BWBS), and although technology was still in its infancy in the 60s, Bicol Wire Broadcasting System evolved into People’s Broadcasting System (PBS) with the establishment of 1960 DZGB-AM, the pioneer commercial radio station in Legaspi. For over 40 years, DZGB-AM has reigned at the top of delivering news, information, live special events coverage, public affairs programs and entertainment to the Bicolanos. DZGB-AM is an institution, and was awarded "Best Provincial AM Station Nationwide" by the prestigious KBP Golden Dove Awards for Radio and Television in 2000.
DZGB proved to be the first of a string of AM stations. Subsequently, a sister station purely dedicated to news and music was opened and named DZGM, the first AM station to adopt an FM programming of less talk and more music. On June 24, 1970, DZMD-AM was inaugurated in Daet, Camarines Norte. Two years later, DZMS-AM started broadcasting in the Province of Sorsogon. The household name of People’s Broadcasting System became People’s Broadcasting Network (PBN) to reflect its founder’s intent to serve its fellow Bicolanos region-wide.
The declaration of martial law on September 21, 1972 was the darkest moment in broadcast history. All radio and TV stations nationwide were shut down and PBN was among the casualties. However, PBN’s status as the most credible network in the Bicol Region was affirmed. DZGB Legazpi was immediately allowed to resume its broadcast operation one day after the shutdown order, followed by DZMD Daet, Camarines Norte two days later and DZMS Sorsogon after a week.
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