FM station 97.9 Home Radio has removed its live DJs (disc jockeys) after switching to a “new format,” raising concerns among some Filipinos.
DJ Chris, one of the station’s disc jockeys, explained his decision to leave after signing off on April 30.
He was known for hosting “Midday Classics,” a weekday afternoon program featuring hits from the ’70s and ’80s.
DJ Chris earlier announced his departure from the station, saying he was “moving on to a new chapter now.”
“I know it’s sudden, but I think you should hear it from me. Your support has meant the world to me. It’s what kept me coming back to this studio every time,” DJ Chris said in a Facebook post last April 30.
“I’m moving on to a new chapter now, but I’m hoping that our paths will cross again. Maybe we’ll get to hang out and talk music once more somewhere down the road. So, for one last time… let’s keep the music playing, and thank you for the memories. Chris is signing off from Home Radio 97.9,” he added.
DJ Chris later said his departure was due to the new management’s decision to shift to an “all-music format.”
“Gusto ko lang magbigay ng maikling paliwanag tungkol sa aking pag-alis sa Home Radio. Marami sa inyo ang nagtatanong, so eto na po ang nangyari,” he wrote in another Facebook post on Monday, May 4.
“Under new management, nag-implement na po ang station ng all-music format. Ibig sabihin, wala na pong mga live DJs sa ere. Siyempre, malungkot ako na nangyari ito,” DJ Chris added.
“Naging malaking bahagi na kayo ng araw-araw ko at mami-miss ko ang ating samahan. Sobrang na-appreciate ko ang oras at suporta na ibinigay niyo sa ating show — kahit na naging maikli lang ang panahon na magkasama tayo, it was all worth it,” the DJ said.
“Sa ngayon, wala pa po akong lilipatang radio station. At gaya ng dati, kapag may magandang balita na ako, ipo-post ko po dito sa aking FB page. Sana ay patuloy niyo pa ring suportahan ang bagong format ng station kahit wala na ako sa ere. Maraming salamat po at isang malaking karangalan ang makasama kayo,” he concluded.
The development raised concerns among some Filipinos, including lifestyle content creator Rod Magaru, who said he was alarmed by reports that the FM station had let go of all its DJs.
“It’s the news no one saw coming. DJ Chris of Home Radio just confirmed the absolute unthinkable: Home Radio is officially letting go of all its DJs,” he said in a Facebook post with a “feeling surprised” tag.
“In a move that has sent shockwaves through the industry, the station is pivoting to a 100% all-music format. No more banter, no more requests, and no more voices to keep you company —just a continuous loop of tracks,” Rod added.
“Ano pa point ng FM radio kung ganyan? Might as well go to Spotify or YouTube, lol,” another Facebook user commented.
“Kung ganito, bakit pa makikinig sa local radio station? May Spotify naman or Apple Music radio,” a Facebook user wrote.
“Nakakalungkot na wala na ‘yung excitement na makinig ng radio dati para abangan mga kantang patutugtugin in the advent of Spotify etc. ‘yung may countdown pa tapos may mini commentary sa playlist bago o after ng kanta ang DJ,” another Pinoy wrote.
“I was just tinkering on AI voice cloning, and kayang-kaya kasi ng AI gawin ‘yung ginagawa ng DJs na voice overs, and even the banters kung talagang gugustuhin — kayang mag-produce ng banters ng AI. Partida, sa free version ang dami nang nagagawa. Haaaaaai. This present generation,” another said.
“wym (What you mean) my dream job might not even exist when I graduate,” an X user commented with an emoji.
Voice actor Stan Sy said that the move was inevitable, claiming that “talk or pop radio in Metro Manila was on the decline” even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Listener behavior also changed! Spotify, YT [YouTube] Music, Apple Music, and podcasts in general changed the way we [get] through our daily commute [or] drives. People were annoyed DJs talked over song intros, so they went digital. People wanted their own playlists. Less listenership altogether,” he wrote.
“And then there’s the democratization of online fame [or] clout. These days, anyone can be a content creator [or] influencer. Being a radio DJ became less aspirational. And our endless doomscrolling also kept us watching the content creators we followed. These go hand-in-hand,” Stan added.
There have been reports that Home Radio, owned by Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, is “currently on stunting mode,” with posts noting the absence of recent branding and previous iterations on its frequency.
“This comes following the announcements of DJs Chris and Daryl on Facebook that they are signing off from Home Radio yesterday,” Medyo media said in a post on May 1.
“Management exits have been witnessed recently, with the passings of Home Radio Station Manager Roderick ‘Braggy’ Braganza last April 25 and ALC Group of Companies Chair Dominic Edgard Cabangon in March,” it added.
Radio DJs are known for playing music, engaging listeners through themed segments on various topics, and conducting live interviews with artists, among other duties.