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DWLS
Radio station in Metro Manila, Philippines From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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DWLS (97.1 FM), broadcasting as Barangay LS 97.1, is a radio station owned and operated by GMA Network. It serves as the flagship station of Barangay FM.[1] The station's studio is located at the 3rd floor of GMA Network Studio Annex, GMA Network Drive corner Samar Street, Diliman, Quezon City, and its transmitter is located at GMA Tower of Power, Charles Conrad Street, Brgy. Culiat, Tandang Sora, Quezon City and 23 Sumulung Highway, Barangay Santa Cruz, Antipolo, Rizal.
Barangay LS is currently held its position as the top FM radio station in Metro Manila, according to the Nielsen Radio Audience Measurement survey conducted in the month of April 2025,[2] and the KBP-Kantar Media Radio Audience Measurement Survey for 1st Quarter of 2025.
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1955–1986: DZXX/DWXX
The station first aired in June 6, 1955, when "Uncle Bob" Stewart opened DZXX-AM 890 kHz under the Republic Broadcasting System (RBS). DZXX made history as the first pop music station in the country using the then-standard AM band, playing both local and international pop music of that era. In 1972, DZXX was temporarily shut down due to Martial Law, but was revived under the label DZXX/DWXX 1000 (Double X) and ownership of Hypersonic Broadcasting Center. In 1978, DWXX changed frequencies to 1026 kHz (based on GE75). In 1986, NBC acquired the station and changed its callsign to DZAM-AM.
1976–1992: WLS FM/The Giant
In July 1976, GMA launched 97.1 WLS FM, initially adult standards and jazz. In 1981, it switched to an Adult Top 40 format with the slogan “The Best Music,” featuring hourly Beatles music on weekday mornings— a tradition later adopted by 100.3 RJFM. In November 1988, after completing GMA's Tower of Power, it rebranded as The Giant 97.1 WLS FM.
1992–2007: Campus Radio
On April 30, 1992, the station relaunched as Campus Radio 97.1 WLS FM with a Top 40 format targeting teens and young adults. Its flagship show, "Top 20 at 12" hosted by Milo Cavarlez ("The Triggerman"), counted down the day’s top 20 songs, inspired by BBC Radio 1's Official Chart Show.
DWLS also introduced "Campus Aircheck," a pioneering on-air program that served as a training ground for aspiring DJs to get hired.
In 1994, after Mike Enriquez took over GMA's radio operations, Campus Radio shifted to a contemporary MOR format with the slogan "Forever!" and introduced programs like "Message Center," competing with Kool 106's Pager 106.[citation needed]. By 1999, DWLS returned to Top 40, using custom jingles from JAM Creative Productions, originally made for Chicago’s WLS-AM..[3]
2007–present: Barangay LS:
On February 14, 2007, Campus Radio rebranded as Barangay LS 97.1, reviving its "Forever!" slogan and shifting to a masa format. Despite strong pop ratings, the change was driven by persistent low ad revenue, prompting Mike Enriquez to push for a more commercially viable approach. Most staff stayed, adopting Filipino on-air names and language. However, the revamp drew criticism from loyal listeners, and by January 2008, the station had yet to recover advertising losses.[4][5]
On January 16, 2008, at 6 PM PHT, the station launched its new tagline, "Ayos!" ("Okay!"), which was also adopted by RGMA's provincial Campus Radio stations.
On the same day, nearly all staff from the former Campus Radio format were abruptly dismissed by Mike Enriquez, despite their years of loyal service to GMA Network. Although the station had improved its ratings from #7 to #4, Enriquez believed the existing team lacked the edge to compete further in the "masa" format. They were unceremoniously replaced by on-air talents from RGMA’s provincial stations and former jocks from rival networks.
The former Campus Radio staff moved to 99.5 and launched Campus 99.5 on March 23, 2008, but the format ended on August 14 due to management and sales issues.
On January 17, 2011, in response to rising competition from other masa stations, Barangay LS 97.1 introduced a new tagline, "Tugstugan Na!" (“Let’s jam!”), and adopted a “crazy fun” branding to refresh its image. Around the same time, Glenn F. Allona replaced Mike Enriquez as program director and station manager, steering the station back toward a music-driven format, revitalizing its core focus on dynamic, high-energy programming centered on music.
On February 17, 2014, Barangay LS 97.1 underwent a major revamp with new programs, a jingle, logo, and the slogan "Isang Bansa, Isang Barangay" (“One Nation, One Barangay”). RGMA’s FM stations nationwide (99.5 RT in Cebu, 103.5 Wow FM in Davao and Super Radyo DYRU 92.9 in Kalibo) also rebranded under the Barangay FM name to better compete with ABS-CBN's My Only Radio network, following DWRR-FM’s relaunch as MOR’s flagship station.[6]
In July 2019, the station revived its original and well-loved slogan, "Forever!", more than a decade after it was first dropped in 2008. To mark the occasion, a new station jingle titled "Tayo ay Forever" was released, performed by GMA artists Ken Chan and Rita Daniela under GMA Music.[7][8]
On March 20, 2020, Barangay LS 97.1 scaled down operations and began simulcasting with Super Radyo DZBB 594 due to the COVID-19 enhanced community quarantine. Full programming and staffing resumed in early 2022 after the simulcast ended.
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