Eagle Broadcasting Corporation

Eagle Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) is a Philippine media company whose principal activities are radio and television broadcasting. It operates under the NET25 identity in television and has historically maintained radio services including DZEC, branded as Radyo Agila, and FM broadcasting. The company is headquartered at 25 Central Avenue in New Era, Diliman, Quezon City, where it maintains its main offices and broadcast facilities. EBC was established on April 26, 1968, with the launch of AM station DZEC. During its early development, the company extended its radio reach through relay facilities serving Dagupan, Lucena, Cebu, and Davao. It later entered FM broadcasting in 1973 through DZBU, a station whose call letters were changed to DWDM in 1981. In 2001, during the period associated with EDSA III, DZEC adopted the Radyo Agila branding, which connected the station more visibly with the eagle imagery used by the company and its broadcasting activities. The company expanded into television around the turn of the millennium. On April 23, 2000, it presented a multimedia exhibition called Destination: PLANET 25 in connection with the television operation that had previously been known as UltraVision 25 under ACWS-United Broadcasting Network. After its acquisition by EBC, the service was renamed NET25. The television operation was supported by a large transmission installation, including a high tower, a JAMPRO antenna system, and Acrodyne transmitters. NET25 subsequently developed a nationwide distribution footprint through terrestrial facilities and cable affiliates, while also producing programs through in-house studios and editing facilities. EBC has periodically refreshed its broadcast identity and public-facing operations. NET25 was relaunched on August 7, 2011, alongside the introduction of the Eagle Bayan Careavan initiative. Online streaming for NET25 and DZEC resumed on January 2, 2014, after a reported five-year interruption. On February 12, 2013, EBC inaugurated a broadcast center on Central Avenue in Quezon City. The company also launched a news website and online portal on October 31, 2013, broadening its activities beyond linear broadcasting to online news and features. The Philippine government renewed EBC's legislative franchise in 2016 through Republic Act No. 10773. The renewed franchise authorized the company to construct, install, operate, and maintain commercial radio and television stations, including digital television systems and related relay facilities, throughout the Philippines. The same period saw EBC pursue an international news presence: in October 2016, its network was registered as an authorized and accredited media organization in Washington, D.C. Its Washington bureau subsequently covered the United States elections held on November 8, 2016. EBC has also extended into entertainment production. On October 31, 2017, it released Guerrero, described as the company's first film. Director Carlo Ortega Cuevas also worked on EBC's first sitcom, Hapi ang Buhay, and its film sequel, which premiered on September 21, 2018. These projects illustrate EBC's expansion from broadcast distribution into news, public-service programming, online publishing, and locally produced entertainment. Its core business remains Philippine broadcasting through NET25 and its radio operations, supported by regional transmission, digital television development, cable distribution, and selected international reporting.

Eagle Broadcasting Corporation was founded on April 26, 1968, when it established the AM radio station DZEC. The company subsequently developed a wider Philippine radio footprint by installing relay stations in Dagupan, Lucena, Cebu, and Davao. In 1973, it entered FM broadcasting with DZBU; that station later adopted the call sign DWDM in 1981. DZEC took the Radyo Agila name in 2001, during the period of EDSA III. EBC's television expansion followed in 2000. On April 23 of that year, it launched the multimedia exhibition Destination: PLANET 25 in association with the television service that had previously operated as UltraVision 25 under ACWS-United Broadcasting Network. After EBC acquired the operation, it renamed the channel NET25. The service was built around substantial transmission infrastructure, including a high broadcast tower, a JAMPRO 48-panel antenna, and two 60-kilowatt Acrodyne transmitters. NET25 later became available nationally through terrestrial facilities and cable affiliates. The company also developed studios and editing suites for its own productions and post-production work. NET25 was relaunched on August 7, 2011. The relaunch included the Eagle Bayan Careavan, a public-service-oriented initiative associated with the network. EBC inaugurated a dedicated broadcast center on Central Avenue in Quezon City on February 12, 2013. Later that year, on October 31, it created a news website and online portal carrying Philippine and international reports and features. Livestreaming for NET25 and DZEC returned on January 2, 2014, following a five-year interruption. A major regulatory milestone came in 2016. Republic Act No. 10773, signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III on May 3, renewed EBC's legislative franchise for 25 years. The law authorized the company to operate commercial radio and television stations, digital television systems, relay stations, and associated facilities throughout the Philippines. EBC also pursued an overseas reporting presence. In October 2016, it registered as an authorized and accredited media organization in Washington, D.C.; its Washington bureau covered the November 8 United States elections. The company's activities later broadened into entertainment production. On October 31, 2017, EBC released Guerrero, identified as its first film. Carlo Ortega Cuevas directed that project and also directed Hapi ang Buhay, described as EBC's first sitcom. A film sequel to the sitcom premiered on September 21, 2018. EBC is associated with Iglesia ni Cristo-connected media interests, alongside the Christian Era Broadcasting Service International, which serves an evangelization function. The company is primarily a Philippine broadcaster, operating television under the NET25 identity and maintaining radio activities centered historically on DZEC and related services. Its development reflects the wider transition of broadcast companies from analog radio and television into digital transmission, streaming, online news, regional relay infrastructure, and original entertainment content.

• 2018

  Hapi ang Buhay sequel premiered

  [1]Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The film sequel to EBC's first sitcom, Hapi ang Buhay, premiered on September 21, 2018.

• 2017

  First film released

  [1]Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  EBC released Guerrero on October 31, 2017, marking its identified first film production.

• 2016

  Legislative franchise renewed

  [1]Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Republic Act No. 10773 renewed EBC's Philippine broadcasting franchise for 25 years.

• 2014

  Livestreaming restored

  [1]Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Livestreaming for NET25 and DZEC returned on January 2, 2014.

• 2013

  New broadcast center inaugurated

  [1]Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  EBC inaugurated its broadcast center on Central Avenue in Quezon City on February 12, 2013.

• 2013

  Online news portal launched

  [1]Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  EBC launched a news website and online portal on October 31, 2013.

• 2011

  NET25 relaunch

  [1]Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  NET25 was relaunched on August 7, 2011, together with the Eagle Bayan Careavan initiative.

• 2001

  DZEC adopts Radyo Agila branding

  [1]Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  DZEC began using the Radyo Agila identity during the period associated with EDSA III.

• 2000

  NET25 television operation introduced

  [1]Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  EBC launched Destination: PLANET 25 and acquired and renamed the former UltraVision 25 television operation as NET25.

• 1981

  DZBU becomes DWDM

  [1]Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The company's FM station DZBU adopted the DWDM call sign.

• 1973

  Entry into FM radio

  [1]Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  EBC entered FM broadcasting through DZBU, which later changed its call letters to DWDM in 1981.

• 1968

  EBC established with DZEC

  [1]Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Eagle Broadcasting Corporation was established on April 26, 1968, with AM station DZEC as its initial broadcasting operation.

A Philippine broadcaster combining radio, nationwide television, digital distribution, online news, public-service initiatives, and locally produced entertainment, with institutional ties to Iglesia ni Cristo-connected media interests.

• Television network · 2000

  NET25

  NET25 is EBC's principal television identity. The service emerged after EBC acquired the former UltraVision 25 operation and renamed it in 2000. It uses terrestrial broadcast facilities and cable affiliates to reach viewers in the Philippines, with programming supported by EBC studios, editing suites, and production resources. The network has also been distributed through digital television development and internet livestreaming.

• AM radio station · 1968

  DZEC / Radyo Agila

  DZEC was EBC's founding AM station, established when the company began operations in 1968. It later adopted the Radyo Agila branding in 2001. The station forms part of EBC's radio activities and has also been made available through online livestreaming.

• FM radio station · 1973

  DWDM

  EBC entered FM broadcasting in 1973 through DZBU, which changed its call letters to DWDM in 1981. The station represents the company's expansion beyond its original AM broadcasting base.

• Public-service initiative · 2011

  Eagle Bayan Careavan

  Eagle Bayan Careavan was introduced as part of the NET25 relaunch in 2011. It is presented as a public-service-oriented initiative associated with EBC's television network.

• Digital news service · 2013

  EBC online news portal

  Launched in 2013, EBC's online news website and portal extended the company's publishing activity beyond radio and television. It carried Philippine and international news and features, including reports from correspondents in the Philippines and abroad.

• Film · 2017

  Guerrero

  Guerrero was released on October 31, 2017, and was identified as EBC's first film. It was directed by Carlo Ortega Cuevas and marked the company's move into feature-film production.

• Sitcom

  Hapi ang Buhay

  Hapi ang Buhay was identified as EBC's first sitcom. It was directed by Carlo Ortega Cuevas and was followed by a film sequel that premiered in September 2018.

• 2011Eagle Bayan Careavan

  Philippines

  The Eagle Bayan Careavan was launched as part of NET25's August 2011 relaunch and represented a public-service initiative attached to the television network.

  Source

• 2017

  Entry into film productionProduct launch

  Background

  EBC expanded its media activities beyond broadcasting and online publishing into locally produced entertainment.

  Action taken

  The company released Guerrero on October 31, 2017, identifying it as its first film.

  Aftermath

  EBC continued its entertainment activities through the sitcom Hapi ang Buhay and a subsequent film sequel.

  Source

• 2016

  International reporting expansionStrategy

  Background

  EBC described its Washington, D.C. registration as part of a wider international expansion.

  Action taken

  The network registered as an authorized and accredited media organization in the District of Columbia and operated a Washington bureau.

  Aftermath

  The bureau provided coverage of the 2016 United States elections and gave EBC a reporting presence outside the Philippines.

  Source

• 2014

  Return to online livestreamingStrategy

  Background

  EBC's livestreaming service for NET25 and DZEC had been unavailable for a reported five years.

  Action taken

  The company restored livestreaming for both services on January 2, 2014.

  Aftermath

  The move provided an internet distribution channel for EBC's television and radio output in addition to conventional broadcast access.

  Source

• 2011

  NET25 relaunch and public-service expansionStrategy

  Background

  EBC refreshed its television identity and programming platform more than a decade after the network's initial NET25 launch.

  Action taken

  The company relaunched NET25 on August 7, 2011, and introduced the Eagle Bayan Careavan.

  Aftermath

  The relaunch reinforced NET25 as EBC's principal television-facing brand and linked it with a public-service initiative.

  Source

• 2000

  Acquisition and renaming of UltraVision 25M&A

  Background

  EBC entered television through an operation that had previously been associated with ACWS-United Broadcasting Network under the UltraVision 25 name.

  Action taken

  EBC acquired the television operation and relaunched it under the NET25 identity.

  Aftermath

  NET25 became EBC's principal television network and was subsequently developed through terrestrial, cable, digital, and online distribution.

  Source

1. 1Eagle Broadcasting Corporationen.wikipedia.org