Delta Broadcasting System

Delta Broadcasting System, Inc. (DBS) is a Philippine broadcast media company associated with Mike Velarde, the leader of the El Shaddai Catholic charismatic movement. The company is based in Makati, Metro Manila, and has operated both radio and television facilities. Its principal radio service is DWXI 1314 kHz AM, while its television operation has been identified as DBS TV-35, a UHF service whose history includes periods of suspension, test broadcasting, and proposed digital revival. The roots of the operation reach back to 1981, when Velarde acquired DZSA 1314, an AM radio station. The acquisition was reportedly connected to a real-estate transaction near what is now Ninoy Aquino International Airport: the landowners would not sell the property without including the station. Although the radio station was initially acquired together with the property, maintaining the operation subsequently required substantial additional spending. The station later became associated with the DWXI identity and served as an important outlet for religious programming, including broadcasts connected with El Shaddai. DBS was formally registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 1992. In 1995, the company launched DBS television on VHF Channel 11. The channel carried religious programs, including El Shaddai programming. In 1998, ZOE Broadcasting Network acquired Channel 11, and DBS moved its television operation to UHF Channel 35. The television service eventually stopped broadcasting around 2004. The reported reasons were low ratings and financial constraints, while DWXI radio continued operating. The company later pursued a television revival. In September 2012, Velarde announced during an El Shaddai gathering that DBS had obtained television equipment for a renewed service. On July 14, 2016, DBS TV-35 began a test broadcast. Its signal was weak and was mainly received in parts of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and southern Metro Manila. The test schedule consisted largely of repeats of El Shaddai Family Appointment programs. A full return was discussed for January 2017, but the plan was not completed because the company lacked sufficient studio and transmitter facilities. DBS received a renewed congressional franchise in 2019. Republic Act No. 11303, approved on April 17, 2019, extended the company's franchise for another 25 years and authorized the continued operation of radio and television stations in the Philippines. Later that month, Velarde said that the television operation would transition toward full digital terrestrial television. The available reference material does not establish whether that planned digital service entered sustained commercial operation. Accordingly, DBS is best understood as a Philippine broadcast organization with a continuing radio identity and an uncertain or inactive television status, rather than as a conventional consumer product brand.

Delta Broadcasting System's operating history began in 1981 with the acquisition of DZSA 1314, an AM radio station later identified with the DWXI 1314 service. The purchase was reportedly made during Mike Velarde's real-estate expansion near the present-day Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The station was included in a property transaction because the owners would not sell the land separately from the broadcast facility. The radio operation subsequently required major continuing expenditure, but it became an outlet for religious programming connected with Velarde and the El Shaddai movement. The company was formally registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 1992, under the name Delta Broadcasting System, Inc. DBS expanded from radio into television in 1995, launching a service on VHF Channel 11. Its schedule included religious programs, among them El Shaddai broadcasts. In 1998, ZOE Broadcasting Network acquired Channel 11. DBS therefore shifted its television activity to UHF Channel 35. The UHF television service did not achieve a sustained run. It ceased broadcasting around 2004, with low audience ratings and financial constraints reported as the principal causes. The radio service continued under the DWXI identity, preserving the company's broadcast presence even while its television platform was off the air. DBS began exploring a television return during the 2010s. On September 15, 2012, Velarde announced that the company had secured equipment intended to revive the television service. On July 14, 2016, DBS TV-35 conducted a test broadcast. Reception was weak and geographically limited, reaching parts of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and southern Metro Manila. The content consisted primarily of previously recorded El Shaddai Family Appointment episodes. At an El Shaddai event in December 2016, Velarde indicated that a full return might occur in January 2017. That plan was ultimately suspended because the company lacked sufficient studio and transmitter capacity. A regulatory development provided a new basis for expansion. On April 17, 2019, the Philippine Congress approved Republic Act No. 11303, renewing DBS's franchise for 25 years and allowing it to continue operating radio and television stations across the Philippines. On April 30, 2019, Velarde stated that the television channel would transition to full digital terrestrial television. The available material does not confirm a completed nationwide digital launch or the present operational status of DBS TV-35. The company is therefore historically significant as a religiously oriented Philippine broadcaster whose radio service has had greater continuity than its television operation.

• 2019

  Twenty-five-year franchise renewal

  [1]Delta Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  Republic Act No. 11303 renewed DBS's broadcast franchise for another 25 years.

• 2016

  DBS TV-35 begins test transmission

  [1]Delta Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  The UHF service resumed on a limited test basis, carrying recorded El Shaddai programming.

• 2012

  Television revival announced

  [1]Delta Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  Velarde announced that DBS had obtained equipment intended to support a television revival.

• 2004

  Television service stops broadcasting

  [1]Delta Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  DBS TV ceased broadcasting around this period, reportedly because of low ratings and financial constraints.

• 1998

  Move to UHF Channel 35

  [1]Delta Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  After ZOE Broadcasting Network acquired Channel 11, DBS moved its television operation to UHF Channel 35.

• 1995

  Launch of DBS television

  [1]Delta Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  DBS launched a religiously oriented television service on VHF Channel 11.

• 1992

  Company registration

  [1]Delta Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  Delta Broadcasting System, Inc. was registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2.

• 1981

  Acquisition of DZSA 1314

  [1]Delta Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  Mike Velarde acquired DZSA 1314, the AM station that later became associated with the DWXI 1314 identity.

A Philippine broadcast operator centered on religious, devotional, and community-oriented programming associated with the El Shaddai movement, with interests spanning AM radio and television.

• AM radio station · 1981

  DWXI 1314 kHz AM

  DWXI 1314 is the company's principal radio service and traces its history to the 1981 acquisition of DZSA 1314. The station is associated with religious and devotional programming, particularly broadcasts linked to the El Shaddai movement and Mike Velarde. Unlike the television service, the radio operation continued after DBS TV stopped broadcasting around 2004.

• UHF television station · 1998

  DBS TV-35

  DBS TV-35 was the company's UHF television service after its earlier VHF Channel 11 operation moved following the 1998 acquisition of Channel 11 by ZOE Broadcasting Network. The service ceased regular broadcasting around 2004, conducted a limited test transmission in 2016, and was later proposed for conversion to digital terrestrial television. Its sustained current operating status is not established by the available sources.

• 2016DBS TV-35 test broadcast

  Southern Metro Manila · Cavite · Laguna · Batangas

  DBS used a limited test transmission to evaluate the return of its television service, primarily airing recorded El Shaddai Family Appointment programs.

  Outcome. The test did not lead to the planned full relaunch because studio and transmitter facilities remained insufficient.

  Source

• 2019

  Plan a digital terrestrial television transitionStrategy

  Background

  The announcement followed congressional renewal of DBS's broadcast franchise under Republic Act No. 11303.

  Action taken

  Velarde announced that the television service would transition to full digital terrestrial television.

  Aftermath

  The available sources do not confirm whether the proposed digital service achieved sustained operation.

  Source

• 1998

  Relocate television operations to UHF Channel 35Strategy

  Background

  ZOE Broadcasting Network acquired DBS's former VHF Channel 11 frequency.

  Action taken

  DBS moved its television operation from VHF Channel 11 to UHF Channel 35.

  Aftermath

  The company continued its television ambitions on a UHF platform before the service later ceased broadcasting.

  Source

• 1981

  Acquire the DZSA 1314 radio stationOther

  Background

  The station was included in a property transaction because the owners reportedly would not sell the land without the radio operation.

  Action taken

  Mike Velarde purchased DZSA 1314, which later became associated with DWXI 1314.

  Aftermath

  The radio operation became a continuing platform for religious programming, although maintaining it required substantial additional expenditure.

  Reported acquisition price. PHP 2 million (1981)

  Source

1. 1Delta Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org