Sunday, January 25, 2009

URADIO 107.9 FM

For sometime now, an underground radio station has been operating here in Metro Manila. It's location is undisclosed, just the same as the owners and the operators. There are no DJs; they utilize automated playlist from a computer with mix sets of popular DJs, both local and abroad, and they operate 24/7 (or so I think). I'm not sure if it is unlicensed to broadcast, or if it's just a gimmick. But then they also do not air commercials save for station ID and regular stingers about upcoming clubbing events in the metro or also warnings about drunk driving and driving while using a cellphone.

They play underground club music, ranging from house to techno, even drum n bass some of the times. The playlist can be so underground that many of the tracks being played are unrecognized. This doesn't mean, however, that the music is not good-- believe me, they will blow you away even if you are not a clubber. I also am not sure whether they do play live mix sets sometimes, but surely what they play most often are mix sets.

uRadio broadcasts on 107.9 mHz and may not be available in some locations as their transmitter is only 500 watts. And then they also have a live streaming site from where you can listen anywhere in the world. You can find the link here. You also can see more info about the staion here.

UPDATE:
Apparently, uRadio (or UnderGround Radio) 107.9mHz is operated by Brainstone Broadcasting Inc., with studio in Pasig and transmitter in Tagaytay city. Circa 2000, it was known as Power 108FM and was owned then by ConAmor Broadcasting Systems, they played then mostly urban music. The station closed in 2004 as it was then speculated to be a pirate station. It opened again in 2006, and this time with the trademark underground club music playlist, but also then shortly shut down due to complaints by licensed FM stations. They returned on air in April 2007, shifting frequencies to 108, 107.1, and 107.9mHz (so, that's why it comes and goes on our radio back home those times), but also had to close again after some months. Then, in October 2007, armed with newly acquired NTC permit, it went back on the air and this time with live broadcasts of mix sets from two of the most popular bars/clubs in Metro Manila. And then again, late September of 2008, it was closed down by NTC due to expired permit. It resumed broadcasting October 12, 2008 and remained on the air up to this writing.

No comments: