The Department of Science and Technology has been referred to as the "government's best-kept secret," and national surveys confirm the low awareness by the public of its programs and activities except for its disaster-related information from DOST-PAGASA and DOST-PHIVOLCS as well as the scholarship programs under DOST-Science Education Institute.
Upon assuming the helm of DOST-STII in 2016, Mr. Richard P. Burgos wasted no time to fully operationalize the DOSTv: Science For The People, the official weather and science program of the Department of Science and Technology, and the agency's broadcast platform to maximize this potent tool for mass communication. In so doing, the Institute was able to leverage its resources and grow its expertise to provide accurate and timely information on science, technology, and innovation to the general public.
Hence, in May 2016, the DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) created DOSTv as its official source of DOST and science-based news and information for the benefit of the people.
A year after its cyberspace debut in 2016, DOSTv aired over the state channel, PTV-4, and a cable network, Global News Network (GNN), featuring different segments to raise awareness of and appreciation for DOST science-related programs and activities.
In 2019, DOSTv innovated and launched a talk show on Radyo Pilipinas 1 (DZRB 738 AM) called "DOSTv sa Radyo" which ran until March 2020, and "Siyensikat: Pinoy Popular Science Para sa Lahat," a telemagazine program on GMA News TV featuring success stories that made a powerful difference in people's lives because of science.
In 2020, operations ceased due to the pandemic lockdowns, but DOSTv quickly pivoted to produce and broadcast content digitally with its programs called "DOST Report," "Expertalk Online," and "Bantay Bulkan" (Volcano Watch).
In 2021, DOSTv launched "Animagham," an animation science program for children. "Siyensikat" also had a comeback on Television via CNN Philippines.
Social Weather Station (SWS) National Survey findings show that Television is still the primary source of S&T information for our public, hence DOSTv aired ExperTalk on CNN Philippines and DOST Report on PTV-4 in 2023.
DOSTv programs on CNN Philippines garnered an average of 902K reach (total number of viewers who watched at least 1 minute) and 335K ratings (average number of people watching per minute) from 2021 to 2023.
Additionally, DOSTv generated a huge presence on social media, with 15M reach, 1.7M minutes viewed, and 5.3M engagements on Facebook as of 15 July 2024. The YouTube Channel also increased its subscribers fourfold from 5K in 2021 to 21K in 2024.
Since DOSTv's launch, DOST-STII has noted a significant increase in S&T awareness among Filipinos from 6% in 2017 to 35% in 2023.
Today, more than 2,200 DOSTv episodes are also available on-demand through its official website (www.dostv.ph) and on social media sites such as Facebook, and YouTube.