Radio

Outside of urban areas, radio remains a primary means of communication among communities. It is the people’s source of news and information, as well as entertainment. And while mobile phones now provide access to the same information, poor Internet connectivity, or lack thereof, in many areas around the Philippines make it a challenge for people to fully rely on online media.

There are over 1,000 radio stations in the country, majority of them on the FM band. AM stations, however, are the more versatile - they focus on news, public affairs, and public service, while offering entertainment programs, and music.

Only a small portion of radio audiences (6 out of every 40) consume news through radio. But when it comes to things that directly impact lives - disasters, calamities, local news and events - radio remains the go-to news source.

The most popular radio stations today are owned and operated by major broadcast networks, which also run television stations. To make sure they are able to capture a bigger share of the market, the practice now is to simultaneously air programs across multiple platforms - radio, TV, and online. 

See below the comparison of top radio stations for the 2016 and 2023 iteration of the Media Ownership Monitor Philippines: