97.9 Home Radio DJs Removed: The Future of Radio

Industry shift raises questions on radio’s future.

Listeners tuning in to Home Radio 97.9 will soon experience a different broadcast, as the station bids goodbye to its live DJs (disk jockeys) and shifts to an all-music format.

The move follows a management decision to adopt the new setup, effectively removing on-air personalities from its line-up.

While the change has evoked emotional reactions from longtime listeners, radio stations are increasingly adjusting to changing audience habits, where streaming platforms and on-demand audio have reduced reliance on traditional DJ-led programs.

Why the change?

Without live hosts, an all-music format can also lower operational costs, streamline scheduling, and run continuously with fewer resources.

The station, owned by Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, is reportedly in a “stunting” phase, or a transitional period where programming is simplified ahead of a potential rebrand.

Industry observers note that talk-based and personality-driven radio formats have been facing declining listenership even before the pandemic, as audiences shift to digital platforms that offer more control and personalization.

No more voices to keep you company. 97.9 Home Radio bids goodbye to its DJs this May.

radar Recommends

Understanding the new radio soundscape

Many former radio DJs are moving to independent podcasting, where they have more control over their content and can engage with listeners via digital communities.

Expect 2026 "rebrands" to include more AI-integrated elements—automated voices that can read weather, traffic, and news in real-time without the need for a live studio presence.

As Home Radio goes all-music, look for smaller, community-based stations to double down on hyper-local talk to differentiate themselves from the global streaming giants.

If you enjoyed the Midday Classics, look for 97.9 Home Radio on their official app. While the terrestrial signal is stunting, digital-only streams often carry archived playlists or specialized classics blocks that the main frequency might have temporarily dropped.