PBN Broadcasting Network

PBN Broadcasting Network Inc.
TV and radio 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, two 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 never heard of radio, except 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.

History

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.

In 1987, 97.1 DWGB-FM Legazpi aired its maiden broadcast. Barely six months later, it made history when it dominated the local surveys as the most listened-to FM station in the area.

With the advent of the 90s, the network began to consider a move to television. Realizing the need for a national network with a strong programming capability, PBN entered into and became an affiliate of ABC 5 (now TV5). On March 3, 1995, PBN’s dream of operating its own TV station became a reality. Its local TV shows took Naga City by storm, and other local networks found it a worthy competitor.

Inspired by the huge success of DWGB-FM in Legazpi City, PBN decided to open another FM station in a more competitive market - Naga, on July 3, 1995.

With the establishment of PBN TV 5 in Naga, it was just a matter of time before the second TV station was opened. On June 1995, PBN TV 6 was born in Legaspi. In the same year, People’s Broadcasting Network changed its corporate name to PBN Broadcasting Network, Inc., with three AM stations, two FM stations and two television stations, strategically positioned in the key cities and provinces in the region that practically covers the entire Bicolandia.

PBN has always focused its vision of being responsive to the needs of its fellow Bicolanos - a network that achieves gains with honor and dignity.

PBN TV5 Naga & PBN TV6 Legazpi programs

PBN TV stations

Branding Callsign Ch. # Power kW Location
PBN/Aksyon TV TV5 Naga DZGB-TV TV-5 10,000 watts Naga City
PBN TV6 Legazpi DWGB-TV TV-6 1,000 watts Legazpi City
The Good News Channel/Aksyon TV TV11 Sorsogon DWCB-TV TV-11 1,000 watts Sorsogon City

-with several cable TV stations and affiliates in Bicol Region.

PBN radio stations

PBN AM stations

Branding Callsign Frequency Power (kW) Location
DZMD 1161 Daet DZMD 1161 kHz 5,000 watts Daet, Camarines Norte
DZGB 729 Legazpi DZGB 729 kHz 10,000 watts Legazpi City
DZMS 1251 Sorsogon DZMS 1251 kHz 5,000 watts Sorsogon City

PBN FM stations

Branding Callsign Frequency Power (kW) Location
OKFM Naga DZOK-FM 97.5 MHz 10,000 watts Naga City
OKFM Legazpi DWGB-FM 97.1 MHz 5,000 watts Legazpi City
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