Company Profile
Evangelization through the broadcast media. This was the dream of the one of the Oblate pioneers in the Philippines, Bishop Gerard Mongeau. This dream turned into reality with the establishment in 1956, and subsequently, the inauguration on February 17, 1957 of Radio Station DXMS (882 Khz) in Cotabato City. This dream also gave birth to the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation which has at present, three FM and two AM commercial broadcast stations.
In its early years, DXMS served only areas under the Cotabato Diocese by broadcasting heavily religious programs. Amidst this, however, was the ardent desire of the Church to reach more areas, to cope with a growing audience, and to keep pace with the changing times. From the mid-1960 to the early 1970's, all these saw light.
The '60's saw the birth of DXMS' sister outfit, DXND (747 Khz). DXND was inaugurated as a music and news station with an operational power of 1 kilowatt in Cotabato City in 1964.
The declaration of Martial Law in 1972 briefly closed DXMS. But DXND was less lucky; it had to remain closed due to financial reasons. But it was during this period that the Prelature of Kidapawan was formed. And the Church saw the need to fill a vacuum in her evangelization thrusts in the newly-established prelature. Hence, DXND's equipment was moved to Kidapawan. And DXND resumed operations in February 1974, shifting its programming to news and public affairs, relevant dramas, and personality programs. During the dark years of Martial Law, DXND earned the reputation of being a beacon of hope against the dictatorship.
The '80's ushered in a big leap for DXND. The Oblates acquired new equipment enabling the station to upgrade its power. The station also moved to a new broadcast complex along Daang Maharlika in Kidapawan.
In 1985, the Oblates acquired DXMS from the Archdiocese of Cotabato giving way to what is now known as NDBC's competitive strength: regional networking. DXMS and DXND institutionalized simulcasting, hookups, and sharing of resources. NDBC also multiplied its influence and presence by entering into tie-ups with DXCP in General Santos City, and DXMF in Davao City.
As NDBC grew, so did the audience's demand to offer more to them. The Oblates became aware that FM programs are also good vehicles to put the Good News across. Thus, on July 24, 1987, DXOL-FM (92.7 Mhz) was born in Cotabato City. Since the second year of its service to the people, the ten-kilowatt DXOL has been consistently topping broadcast industry surveys in Cotabato City!
After DXOL, there was no turning back for the Oblates. They saw the importance of putting up a youth-oriented FM station in Kidapawan. This came into fruition when DXDM-FM (88.7 Mhz) was formally inaugurated on April 5, 1992.
The Oblates also set their sights on an area where they used to do missionary work: South Cotabato. By establishing DXOM-FM (91.7 Mhz) in Koronadal, the Oblates are able to bring back through NDBC their service to the then empire province of Cotabato (now composed of the provinces of Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato). DXOM was formally launched on December 8, 1993.
While the establishment of DXOM was at its planning stage, an important development took place. A Church-run FM station in Davao City was about to close due to financial losses. The Oblates negotiated with the Archdiocese of Davao for NDBC’s take-over of the station. Beginning May 5, 1992, DXGN-FM (89.9 Mhz) became a part of NDBC. DXGN was returned to its owners in the first trimester of 1996.
NDBC put out its own production center, essentially intended for in-house drama production at the end of 1994.
NDBC was granted a national franchise to operate Radio and Television in 1995, approved in Congress as R.A. # 8109. On November 28, 1996 NDBC-MEDIA MARKETING took off officially to attend to the national sales of NDBC and affiliates. Since then the NDBC Business Office based in Kidapawan has graduated to a more encompassing role as the NDBC Central Office.
With DXMS and DXOL-FM in Cotabato City, DXND and DXDM-FM in Kidapawan, Cotabato, and DXOM-FM in Koronadal, South Cotabato, NDBC hopes to bring effectively the Good News to the people of the provinces of Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Saranggani, South Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga del Norte, and the cities of Cotabato, Pagadian, Zamboanga, Marawi, Ozamis, Oroquieta, Dipolog, Iligan, General Santos, and Davao.
