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ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names,Alto Broadcasting System andChronicle Broadcasting Network) was aPhilippinecommercialbroadcastnetwork that served as the flagship property of theABS-CBN Corporation, a company under theLopez Group owned by theLópez family. The ABS-CBNmedia conglomerate is the largest entertainment and media conglomerate in thePhilippines.
The company was founded on June 13, 1946,[1] as Bolinao Electronics Corporation (BEC). BEC was established byJames Lindenberg, one of the founding fathers of Philippine television,[2][3] an American electronics engineer who went into radio equipment assembly and radio broadcasting.
In November 1949, James Lindenberg shifted Bolinao to radio broadcasting with DZBC[4] and mastermindedthe introduction of television to the country in 1953.[5] Bolinao Electronics Corporation established its broadcast unit, Bolinao Broadcasting System (BBS); its first studios were located at a rented barn in San Juan, Rizal (which is now part of the National Capital Region).
In 1951, Lindenberg partnered with Antonio Quirino, brother of then-Philippine PresidentElpidio Quirino, in order to try their hand at television broadcasting. In 1952, BEC was renamed as Alto Broadcasting System or ABS (with Alto Sales Corporation as its corporate name). "Alto" was a contraction of Quirino's and his wife's first names, Tony and Aleli. Though they had little money and resources, ABS was able to put up its TV tower by July 1953 and import some 300 television sets. The initial test broadcasts began in September of the same year. The very first full-blown broadcast was on October 23, 1953, of a party in Tony Quirino's humble abode. The television station was known asDZAQ-TV.[5] The first program to air was a garden party at the Quirino residence in Sitio Alto, San Juan. After the premiere telecast, the station followed a four-hour-a-day schedule, from six to ten in the evening.[5]
On June 16, 1955, Republic Act No. 1343 signed by PresidentRamon Magsaysay granted theManila Chronicle its broadcasting franchise, leading to the formation of the Chronicle Broadcasting Network.[6][7]
The Chronicle Broadcasting Network (CBN) was founded on September 24, 1956, byEugenio López Sr. and the former Philippine Vice PresidentFernando Lopez. The network initially focused only on radio broadcasting. It launched its very own TV station, DZXL-TV 9, on April 19 (or July[8]), 1958.[5] On February 24, 1957, Don Eugenio acquired ABS from Quirino and Lindenberg. A month later, Don Eugenio also acquired Monserrat Broadcasting System.[9]
In 1958, the network's new headquarters atDewey Boulevard were inaugurated, and all radio and television operations were consolidated into its two buildings – the radio stations at the Chronicle Building at Aduana Street,Intramuros,Manila and the TV operations at the brand new Dewey Boulevard building inPasay,Rizal.[5]
The ABS-CBN brand was first used in 1961. However, it was only on February 1, 1967, that the corporate name was changed to ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. Before it was named ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, the corporate name was Bolinao Electronics Corporation (BEC).
In the late 1950s, Don Eugenio's sonGeny saw the potential of TV and radio to reach and link Filipinos across the archipelago. By the mid-1960s, the ABS-CBN network was leading the radio industry, with stations like DZXL and DZAQ Radyo Patrol in the Manila area, which featured journalists likeErnie Baron, Bong Lapira,Orly Mercado,Joe Taruc, Mario Garcia, Jun Ricafrente, Bobby Guanzon, andRey Langit, and various other stations nationwide. ABS-CBN also made breakthroughs in the TV industry by achieving the country's first color TV broadcast, first satellite feed broadcasts (during remarkable events including theApollo 11 Moon landing, the collapse ofRuby Tower in Manila during the1968 Casiguran earthquake,assassination and funeral ofRobert F. Kennedy and the1968 United States presidential election), and first use of videotape, among others. It featured top shows then, such asYour Evening with Pilita andTawag ng Tanghalan, the country's first comedy showBuhay Artista, first Philippine game show,What's My Living and the first noontime showStudent Canteen, among others. It was also pioneering in marathon election coverage in 1967 when the TV & radio stations of the network aired election updates for 36 hours sharp – making it a national first.[5]
On June 15, 1961, Geny officially opened the first provincial TV station inCebu (based inMandaue) airing 4 hours with the tallest transmitter tower (in that time) measuring 216 feet (66 m). Within weeks, another TV station in Dagupan opened its doors followed by the first broadcasts in Negros Island (through Bacolod) in 1963. Panay had its first station in Iloilo City which opened in 1964, the Soccsksargen region then followed up with the opening of its own regional station in 1965 and Baguio and Davao both followed suit in 1967.
Two years later, the network's first color test broadcasts began with the help of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). Color broadcasts started in June 1966, the first in the Philippines and Southeast Asia as the network was tagged as the "First in Color Television", with full-color broadcasting beginning in 1971 in all national television stations.[5]
On December 18, 1968, ABS-CBN opened its newBroadcast Center on Bohol Avenue (renamed Sgt. Esguerra Avenue in 1989),Quezon City, where it still stands today. At the time, it was the most advanced broadcast facility in Asia. The station again made breakthroughs by using the first live satellite transmissions from abroad, foremost of which was the 168-hour coverage of thefirst Moon landing in 1969 and the1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico the year before. The network enjoyed a big portion of the ratings and won various awards and recognitions from different organizations.[5] The network pioneered the first all-national news simulcasts also in the same year as well.[citation needed]
By 1972, the ABS-CBN network owned and operated two television stations and seven radio stations in Manila and 14 radio stations and three originating television stations in the provinces.[10] In the mid 60s, ABS-CBN launched its iconic "The Philippines' Largest Network"signature jingle — which is known for its now-familiar six-note leitmotif — composed by Dominic Salustiano.[citation needed]
The network suffered its first setback with the declaration ofmartial law by president then dictatorFerdinand Marcos Sr. On September 23, 1972, two days after the signing ofProclamation No. 1081, ABS-CBN and its affiliate stations were seized. Almost 10,000 employees lost their jobs as a result of the takeover and shutdown of ABS-CBN.[11]
ABS-CBN president Geny López was arrested in November 1972, imprisoned and held without trial for five years until he and his cellmateSergio Osmeña III launched a daring jailbreak on October 1, 1977. They fled into exile in the United States together with their families.
ABS-CBN general manager Jake Almeda Lopez was also jailed for a year for his protest activities.[12] After his daring and successful escape fromFort Bonifacio, he joined López in exile in the United States and kept himself busy protesting the Marcos Sr. dictatorship from abroad. He was a key figure in the protest over theBataan Nuclear Power Plant.[13][14]
The network was taken over byRoberto Benedicto, acrony of Ferdinand Marcos, then-Philippines ambassador to Japan, and sugar plantation owner, who used the Broadcasting Center at Bohol Avenue, then renamed "Broadcast Plaza", as the home ofGovernment Television/Maharlika Broadcasting System (GTV/MBS, originally fromIntramuros) andKanlaon Broadcasting System/Radio Philippines Network (KBS/RPN, after the studio in Pasay was destroyed by fire on June 6, 1973).[5] DZAQ-TV Channel 2 was relaunched underBanahaw Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on November 4, 1973, with a new call sign (DWWX-TV), logo, slogan and a theme song (composed byJose Mari Chan entitled "Big Beautiful Country"). In July 1978, BBC moved to new headquarters (together with RPN and theIntercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC)) inBroadcast City (also in Diliman, Quezon City). DZXL-TV Channel 4 was taken over by the government agencyNational Media Production Center (NMPC) for the launch of Government Television (GTV) as DWGT-TV on February 2, 1974. The network's radio stations were also affected with BBC and KBS/RPN operating several of the stations. BBC and RPNs would pioneer the country's first truecomputer-generated imagery animations for station identifications in the early 1980s.
At the height of thePeople Power Revolution in 1986, the operations of the Benedicto networks were halted after reformist soldiers disabled the transmitter that was broadcasting Marcos' inauguration fromMalacañang Palace.[15] UponCorazón C. Aquino's subsequent accession to the presidency, BBC, RPN, IBC and the Broadcast City complex were sequestered by thenew government and placed under the management of a Board of Administrators tasked to operate and manage its business and affairs subject to the control and supervision ofPresidential Commission on Good Government.[16]
On March 1, 1986, after the People Power Revolution, Geny Lopez returned to the country after self-exile in the United States and started rebuilding the station from the rubbles after the revolution. Recovery was difficult and resources were low; former ABS-CBN employees Freddie García, Ben Aniceto and Rolly Cruz were brought in to rework the station's programming.
BBC shut down its operations on March 20, 1986, due to the sequestration of the facilities.[16] BBC returned its operation in April 1986.[16] ThePresidential Commission on Good Government approved the return of the network's flagship station Channel 2 and a portion of the ABS-CBN Broadcast Center to the Lopezes in June 1986.[17] The Lopez family continued to own ABS-CBN during the Marcos regime and all lease arrangements it entered into with the Philippine government and the Benedicto group for the use of its frequencies and facilities were never entirely recovered.[18] Despite the handover of ownership, DWWX-TV continued to be used as the callsign of the network's flagship station inMetro Manila. BBC shut down its radio operations on July 15, 1986. Later, BBC shut down its television operations on September 7, 1986. After 7 days, ABS-CBN was reopened on September 14, 1986.
In January 1987, the network was forced to share space in the building that was rightfully their own with the government TV station Channel 4 (until January 22, 1992). At the time, money had been scarce while resources were limited; offices were used as dressing rooms and other equipment such as chairs, tables, and phones were in short supply.[5] Aniceto, who worked as the program director for radio and television of the network and station manager of Channel 2 in the 1970s, was served as the first vice president and general manager of ABS-CBN upon the network's reopening from 1986 to 1987 and its radio stations re-opened in July 1986.[19]
On March 1, 1987, Channel 2 was relaunched with the live musical special,The Star Network: Ang Pagbabalík Ng Bituin (The Return of the Star) which noted for the then-brand-new numerical white tri-ribbon channel 2 logo with a white rhomboidal star (from 1988 to 1993 the ribbons were tri-coloured in red, green and blue) as a centerpiece of the network's revival. It was also whenPeter Musñgi returned to ABS-CBN to serve as its voiceover or announcer. By 1988, ABS-CBN had regained its foothold in the Philippine TV ratings from being a cellar dweller (#5) to being number 1 again nationally - as a result of the rebranding.
Within the year, ABS-CBN also beefed up its news programs withTV Patrol, anchored by a team ofnewsreaders composed ofNoli de Castro,Mel Tiangco,Frankie Evangelista, and Angelique Lazo, with the lateErnie Baron telling the daily weather forecast. Other reputable news programmes followed, such asMagandang Gabi... Bayan andProbe as well as the cultural magazine showTatak Pilipino hosted by the former anchor Gel Santos-Relos and formerAPO Hiking Society memberJim Paredes, andHoy Gising!. The entertainment programs of ABS-CBN were also revamped with series that previously aired onRPN andIBC, which includedEat Bulaga!,Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!,The Sharon Cuneta Show,Chika Chika Chicks,Goin' Bananas,Loveliness,Kapag May Katwiran, Ipaglaban Mo!, andConey Reyes on Camera, while producing original content (initially co-productions withRegal Television), which includedThe Maricel Soriano Drama Special,Ryan Ryan Musikahan,Ang TV,Sa Linggo nAPO Sila,Showbiz Lingo,Oki Doki Doc,Mara Clara,Maalaala Mo Kaya,Palibhasa Lalake,Teysi ng Tahanan,Home Along Da Riles, andWansapanataym.
Another feature of its return to the top of the ratings is the introduction of the live-actionsentai andtokusatsu show formats from Japan, withBioman,Goggle V,Gavan, andShaider, the latter the first ever tokusatsu program to be aired in English and Filipino to Philippine television full-time (after a brief appearance on RPN). Filipino-dubbedanime programmes, another network and Philippine television first, would only begin in the transition to the 1990s, and 1987'sHikari Sentai Maskman, aired by the network, was the first ever sentai program to dub inFilipino.
Within months after the relaunch in Manila, the revived network also restarted regional programs and broadcasting starting in Baguio, Cebu, Bacolod and Davao (and later in Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro). Within the 1990s, the network also helped open new stations in other parts of the country, while reopening stations that were used before.
On December 11, 1988, with the firstmarathon broadcast of the Australian produced televisionminiseriesA Dangerous Life, ABS-CBN began shifting to satellite broadcast, enabling the entire country to watch the same programs simultaneously. This was also the very year when the network began international broadcasts toGuam andSaipan, in theNorthern Marianas, also via satellite, yet another first for Philippine and Asian television. At the same time, the network began to increase the number of local TV programs being aired and produced.
Slowly, the station inched its way to financial recovery, which it achieved by 1990, regularly garnering around 70% of the market and that year, the company was listed to the Manila Stock Exchange (MSE) before its merger with Makati Stock Exchange (MkSE) to form thePhilippine Stock Exchange (PSE). In 1992, ABS-CBN Talent Center (nowStar Magic) was formed and in 1993, ABS-CBN launchedStar Cinema as the company began to diversify. In 1995,Star Music was launched originally as Star Records with the latter name used until 2014. In that year, ABS-CBN also launched their own website, ABS-CBN.com, the first Filipino television network in the World Wide Web. It was created by its IT department, Internet Media Group. (IMG, which later becameABS-CBN Interactive).On March 30, 1998, ABS-CBN Holdings Corporation was incorporated as Worldtech Holdings Corporation, for the primary purpose of issuance of the Philippine Depository Receipt (PDR) and the acquisition and holding of shares of ABS-CBN Corporation. Its Philippine depository receipt (PDR) is traded in the Philippine Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ABSP.
On September 24, 1994, ABS-CBN signed a historic deal withPanAmSat to bring the first trans-Pacific Asian programming to some two million Filipino immigrants in the United States.[20] This deal would later gave birth toThe Filipino Channel which is now available globally.
The network has also syndicated its programs for international audience through its ABS-CBN International Distribution division. Among the programs that gained popularity abroad arePangako Sa 'Yo,Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay,Lobo,Sana Maulit Muli,Kahit Isang Saglit, andBe Careful with My Heart.
Nine years after the revival on March 30, 1995, Republic Act No. 7966 signed byPresidentFidel Ramos granted ABS-CBN its legislative franchise for the second time.[21]
Geny Lopez died of cancer on June 29, 1999, in the United States. This happened six months before the network celebrated the millennium by unveiling a new logo on December 31, 1999, and inaugurating itsMillennium Transmitter on the company grounds on March 7, 2000. This resulted in a clearer signal for its television and radio stations in Mega Manila.
In 2002,Finance Asia ranked ABS-CBN as the 8th best-managed company in the Philippines in its "Asia's Best Companies 2002" survey. The survey covers the performance of the top companies in 10 countries in Asia. Finance Asia polled institutional investors and equity analysts for this survey.[22] In the same year, the network was started to broadcast infull stereo.
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In 2003, during the 50th anniversary of Philippine television, ABS-CBN launched its present brand name, "Kapamilya" (literally means "a member of the family"). The network celebrated its golden anniversary in 2003. It also launched a promo called "Treasure Hunt", where the people were invited to bring their oldest television, radio sets, microphones, and posters. The network also celebrated its 16-year reign in the TV ratings, with 13 of their shows included in the Top 15 daily programs in TV. ABS-CBN also launched several new shows includingFinal Fantasy: Unlimited,Crush Gear,Rave, andYu-Gi-Oh!. The company also did a nationwide caravan, showcasing the network's talents.
In October 2003, the network held a month-long celebration of ABS-CBN and Philippine TV's 50th year.[23] The station produced two commemorative documentaries about the station's contribution in news and entertainment.Sa Mata ng Balita encapsulated some of the most unforgettable, most remarkable, and most celebrated landmarks of the last 50 years, as captured by television news.50 Taong Ligawan: The Pinoy TV History, on the other hand, was the first extensive television documentary done about the history of Philippine television and the evolution of Philippine entertainment.
In 2004, the network launched a series of new programs includingNaruto,Ragnarok the Animation,Marina,Sarah the Teen Princess,At Home Ka Dito,Nginiiig!,Yes, Yes Show!,Mangarap Ka,Art Jam,Salamat Dok,Rated K, and a televised search for the network's new set of young talent entitledStar Circle Quest. During the last quarter of that same year, ABS-CBN lost its position as the leading network inMega Manila toGMA Network following the success of the rival network's fantaseryeMulawin which causedCharo Santos-Concio to almost resign from the network whereas it still dominated the TV ratings inVisayas andMindanao.
In 2005, the network launched another set of new programs in their bid to regain lost audience share through a campaign entitledIba Magmahal ang Kapamilya. These programs includeHomeboy,Goin' Bulilit,Wowowee,Bora,Search for the Star in a Million andQuizon Avenue. In March of that same year, responding to Perceptions Inc.'sTara Na, Biyahe Tayo, ABS-CBN and Star Music teamed up with the Philippine Tourism Authority (now theTourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority) for an all-star version of theirPilipino Sa Turismo'y Aktibo tourism anthem which featured selected contract artists such asGary Valenciano,Kris Aquino,Ai-Ai delas Alas,Vhong Navarro,Piolo Pascual,Jericho Rosales,Claudine Barretto,Erik Santos,Gloc-9,Sheryn Regis andHeart Evangelista. However, the song's lack of extensive support by the mother network led to its obscurity.[24]
The network later ventured into franchised reality shows with the launch ofPinoy Big Brother which proved to be a smashing success and helped them regain their lost position as the leading network in Mega Manila.
On August 2007, the conglomerate's primary name and network's corporate name was changed to simply ABS-CBN Corporation dropping the word "Broadcasting" on primary uses to reflect the former's diversification, with the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation name is now used as the conglomerate's alternative and secondary name since then. The change was announced publicly one year later in 2008 during the network's and Philippine television 55th anniversary on its station ID "Beyond Television". The anniversary TV plug depicts the growth of ABS-CBN from a small television station that started in 1953 into a media conglomerate that has businesses beyond television.The Wall Street Journal Asia ranked ABS-CBN as the 7th most admired company of the Philippines and 3rd in the Innovation Award category for its innovation in internet TV with TFC Now! (nowiWantTFC) service. According to chairman Gabby Lopez during its annual stockholders' meeting two years after the change was announced in May 2010, he said that it is "a response to the changes in the media landscape brought about by technology. The media business has gone beyond merely broadcasting to encompass other platforms."[25][26][27]
ABS-CBN welcomed formerGMA Network artistAngel Locsin to its roster of talents also in August 2007, the same month as the change in the media conglomerate's primary and network's corporate name, which was seen as a controversial headlines because of her leading GMA's top-rating soaps; she actually started in ABS-CBN as part of a Star Circle batch six years earlier.
From May 2009 to December 22, 2011, ABS-CBN covered the two-year transition of all levels of Philippine politics including the cancelled 2011Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) election where officers-in-charge (OIC) were appointed that ended the term of 2008-2011 officials. In response to the first automation of the election in the country, ABS-CBN utilized a technology fromOrad Hi Tech Systems Ltd. that utilizes the principles ofaugmented reality.[28] The technology uses real-time image processing system for live broadcasts of 3Dcomputer-generated imagery against a real set or background. ABS-CBN also utilized what was probably the biggesttouch screen display to be used in a Philippine television show. A new set dubbed as the "WAR" (Wireless Audience Response) room was specifically designed for the said election coverage. ABS-CBN also utilized what was probably the biggesttouch screen display to be used in a Philippine television show. A new set dubbed as the "WAR" (Wireless Audience Response) room was specifically designed for the said election coverage. The network covered the events of 2010 throughMga Kwento ng Bayan 2010: ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs Yearend Special anchored byKorina Sanchez andNoli de Castro.[29] The coverage of ABS-CBN became the third top trending topic worldwide on the social networking siteTwitter.[30][31][32][33]
On January 1, 2013, coinciding with the kick-off of their 60th anniversary celebrations, Charo Santos-Concio was appointed as the new chief executive officer of the company, taking over from Gabby Lopez. Lopez remains the chairman of the company.[34]
On May 28, 2013, ABS-CBN Corporation, through its subsidiaryABS-CBN Convergence, Inc. (formerly known as Multi-Media Telephony, Inc.), signed a network sharing agreement withGlobe Telecom for a new mobile telephony service in the country. The agreement includes the sharing of assets including switches, towers, servers, and frequencies. ABS-CBN is expected to spend between 2 and 3 billion pesos for the next two years to build up its telco business. The plan has been approved by theNational Telecommunications Commission and now operates asABS-CBN Mobile.[35] It ceased operations on November 30, 2018, after both ABS-CBN and Globe decided not to renew their network-sharing agreement after assessing its mobile business model as financially unsustainable. The two companies will remain committed for partnership for content sharing using its existing resources.[36][37][38]
In July 2013, ABS-CBN started the development ofKidZania Manila family entertainment center in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.[39][40] However, due to the losses amid theCOVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, KidZania Manila was permanently closed on August 31, 2020.
On October 5–6, 2013, the network celebrates the 60th year of ABS-CBN and the Television in the Philippines throughGrand Kapamilya Weekend. It is broadcast the two TV specials on It's Showtime at theQuezon Memorial Circle and on ASAP at theMarikina Sports Center.
On May 30, 2014, ABS-CBN and its former President and CEOCharo Santos-Concio received the Gold Stevie Awards for the categories Services Company of the Year - Philippines and Woman of the Year at the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards held in the Lotte Hotel, Seoul, South Korea.[41]
ABS-CBN also received the coveted Gold Stevie Awards for the category Company of the Year - Media & Entertainment at the 11th annual International Business Awards (IBA) which was held in Paris, France, on October 10. As a result of the win, ABS-CBN also won the vote-based People's Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Companies in the Media and Entertainment Category,[42][43] while their chairman Eugenio Lopez III received the lifetime achievement award from the KBP.
On March 19, 2015,Finance Asia ranked ABS-CBN as the third-bestmid-cap company in the Philippines. ABS-CBN is the only Filipino media company included on Asia's best companies 2015 list of Finance Asia.[44] Also in this year, ABS-CBN was included on the 2015 Top Companies report ofJobStreet.com which rank the country's top employers. ABS-CBN is ranked 7th on the list.[45]
On January 1, 2016,Carlo L. Katigbak was appointed as the new president and chief executive officer of the company, taking over from Charo Santos-Concio, who have succeeded her mandatory retirement age of 60. Concio will still be the network's chief content officer, president of the newly created ABS-CBN University, executive adviser to the chairman, and board of directors of the company.[46] One month later, the network also announced the appointment of Head for Free TVMaria Socorro Vidanes as the COO for broadcast of ABS-CBN effective February 1, 2016.[47]
In 2016, ABS-CBN Corporation is the only media company included on the top ten 2016 Top Companies ofJobStreet.com in the Philippines ranking, at number ten. These companies are chosen by JobStreet.com as the "most desired employers" in the country.[48]
On April 19, 2018, during the company's annual stockholders meeting, the ABS-CBN Board of Directors voted in favor and elected Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III as the Chairman Emeritus and his cousin, Chief Technology Officer Martin "Mark" Lopez as his successor as chairman of the network.[49] Gabby Lopez will be the second executive to be elected as Chairman Emeritus, succeeding his late father, Eugenio "Geny" Lopez, Jr.In February 2017, ABS-CBN upgraded Control Rooms 3 and 10 at its TV production studios in Quezon City with identicalLawo mc256 audio consoles. The new consoles replaced two dated desks and were installed by Broadcast Communications International, the main contractor for the upgrade. The IP-based Lawoproduction consoles – each with 64 faders and providing 270 DSP channels, a routing capacity of 5120×5120 crosspoints, integrated WavesSoundGrid servers and connectivity via four DALLIS I/O frames, mark the first Lawo equipment installations in the Philippines. The modernized IP-ready studio control rooms went on-air in January 2018.[50]
In June 2018, it received theYouTube Diamond Creator Award for being the first YouTube channel in the Philippines to reach 10 million subscribers for its entertainment channel. The channel is also one of the only three channels in Southeast Asia to have reached the milestone on the popular video-sharing platform, after Thai TV networkWorkpoint and Thai entertainment companyGMM Grammy.[51] It also becomes the first YouTube channel in the Philippines to hit 20 and 30 million subscribers.[52][53]
In July 2018, ABS-CBN won a prestigious Gold Quill award of excellence at theInternational Association of Business Communicators (IABC)Gold Quill Awards in Montreal, Canada for its "Wow at Saya" audience experience program for the network's live shows such asIt's Showtime andASAP Natin 'To.[54]
In 2018, ABS CBN won 30 awards during the 16th Gawad Tanglaw awards and also won 34 awards during the 32nd Star Awards for Television for their good TV programs and personalities.[55][56]
Also, in December of the same year, ABS-CBN inaugurated its new state-of-the-artsound stages studio complex calledHorizon IT Park located atSan Jose del Monte,Bulacan which was on par withHollywood standards. The Phase 1 of the project includes its first two sound stages each sized of 1,500 square meters, with the first stage was named for its chairman emeritus,Eugenio Lopez III who visioned of the new studios,The EL3 Stage. The complex also includes backlots, facilities for its production and post-production, and offices. The studios will be used for its upcoming teleseryeThe Faithful Wife and its reality singing competition show,Idol Philippines, using the name as "Idol City".[57][58][59][60]
In September 2019, ABS-CBN ventured into Hollywood production for the US film and TV outfitElectric Entertainment which is headed by Filipino-American producer Dean Devlin. The American TV seriesAlmost Paradise was shot in Cebu, and aired in the United States via the cable company,WGN America. It was ABS-CBN's first foray into Hollywood television production.[61] The series' production inBigfoot Soundstage in Cebu began filming in November 2019.
In 2011, ABS-CBN announced the development of a state-of-the-artstudio complex inSan Jose del Monte,Bulacan, which is on par withHollywood standards for a projected cost of 6 to 7.5 billion pesos. A 120 hectare lot[62] in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan was acquired earlier that year for 75 million pesos. In 2014, it was announced that the studio complex will consist of 10sound stages andbacklots each. The company plan to build at least two sound stages a year for a cost of 600 million pesos or 300 million pesos for each sound stage.[63]
The proper of the project started in the first quarter of 2014 with its construction commenced in May 2017. The production and support teams for both TV and feature films began a three-year training program for the stages both in Hollywood and the Philippines to ensure that production processes mirror the best practices in the world.[64]
On December 12, 2018, after years of planning and training, ABS-CBN inaugurated its new state-of-the-art studio complex which is revealed to be calledHorizon IT Park. The complex was designed byCalifornia-based architecture firm Bastien and Associates, Filipino firm AIDEA, with a consultants from Hollywood-based Manhattan Beach Studios. The Phase 1 of the project includes its first two sound stages sized at 1,500 square meters, with the first stage named for its chairman emeritus, Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III who is the brainchild of the new studio complex,The EL3 Stage. The complex also included backlots, facilities for its production and post-production and offices. The new studios used for the upcoming teleseryeThe Faithful Wife, and its most anticipated movie,Darna.[62][64][58][65] A new soundstage was finally used for its reality singing competition show,Idol Philippines, using the name as "Idol City".[66]
On February 10, 2020, Solicitor General Jose Calida has submitted a petition to the Philippine Supreme Court to end ABS-CBN's franchise due to allegations that foreigners were allowed to be involved in the company's ownership.[67]
On March 10, 2020, in the wake of theWorld Health Organization-declaredCOVID-19 pandemic that had also spread across the Philippines, as well asPresidentRodrigo Duterte's declaration of state of public health emergency after the first local transmission ofCOVID-19 was confirmed, ABS-CBN announced that it wouldtemporarily suspend its admission ofstudio audience in tapings for itsgame,talk,variety andreality shows, includingMagandang Buhay,It's Showtime,ASAP Natin 'To,Banana Sundae andthe second season of the Philippine version of South Korean game showI Can See Your Voice, to provide safety and well-being to its artists, crew and production teams. The aforementioned shows would, however, continue to air in production without a studio audience.[68]
Then on March 15, 2020, ABS-CBN temporarily suspended production of its entertainment shows, afterMetro Manila was put under acommunity quarantine (partial lockdown), later turned into anenhanced community quarantine in the entireLuzon (total lockdown). Among the prime time shows affected includedFPJ's Ang Probinsyano,andA Soldier's Heart, which were both put on hold from March 16, 2020, until May/June 2020,[69][70] The network aired reruns of some teleseryes and other programs including100 Days to Heaven, the second ofMay Bukas Pa,On the Wings of Love,The Legal Wife,Got to Believe,Walang Hanggan,Wildflower,Wansapanataym,iWant Originals Series,Tubig at Langis,Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids Season 1,Pilipinas Got Talent Season 6,Bayani,Hiraya Manawari andSine'skwela.
On May 5, 2020, ABS-CBN was issued acease-and-desist order by theNational Telecommunications Commission (NTC) andSolicitor GeneralJose Calida after the NTC refused to renew the network's franchise license earlier in February 2020. After meeting controversy and national outcry over the initial NTC refusal, ABS-CBN was initially allowed to operate under a temporary license, with support from both senate and congress. Investigations by various government offices showed that the company had no deficiencies or issues. There are allegations that the NTC refusal over the franchise renewal was based on the network's critical news coverage ofPresidentRodrigo Duterte's administration. The franchise license expired on May 4, and a day later, ABS-CBN officially signed off in the evening.[71][72] This was the second time the network went off-air after thedeclaration of martial law by Former PresidentFerdinand Marcos on September 23, 1972.[73][74] ABS-CBN was forced to suspend operations for all of its physical broadcasting channels (with the exception ofCine Mo!,Yey!,Kapamilya Box Office (KBO) through a blocktime agreement with theAMCARA Broadcasting Network in Metro Manila, Laguna, Iloilo and some portions of Baguio and the cable channels run by theCreative Programs subsidiary of the company). The franchise was inthe process of renewal, but had however been delayed due to the extension of theenhanced community quarantine to May 15, 2020, 11 days after the scheduled expiration.[75] The network went off-air at exactly 7:52 pm (PST) of May 5.[76]
On June 30, 2020, the NTC issued an alias cease and desist order to ABS-CBN to stop its digital TV transmission on Channel 43 in Metro Manila, as well as a cease and desist order to stop Sky Cable's direct broadcast satellite service Sky Direct.[77]
On July 10, 2020, members of the House of Representatives, particularly the Committee on Legislative Franchises, voted 70–11 to deny the franchise application of ABS-CBN, citing several issues on the network's franchise. Only about 12.94% of the Congress voted for franchise renewal.[78][79] Its President and CEO,Carlo Katigbak said the company remains committed to the public service, with hoping to find other ways to pursue their mission.[80] According to a survey released by theSocial Weather Stations or SWS that was released following the rejection of the network's franchise renewal, showed that an overwhelming majority (75%) of all Filipinos want the network back.[81]
As a result, it was forced to cease the operations of some of its businesses and laid off its workers by the end of August.[82] The number of people who lost their jobs was estimated at 11,000.[11]
On September 10, the NTC issued an order to recall all frequencies assigned to it as it has no valid congressional franchise required to offer free-to-air broadcasting in the country.[83]
Around a year and a half later on January 5, 2022, these frequencies were provisionally authorized to those on-queue for such since 2006.Advanced Media Broadcasting System (which airs its flagship TV stationAll TV), backed by theVillar Group throughPlanet Cable, was awarded the Channel 2 analog frequency and its digital counterpart Channel 16 frequency,[19] it also later acquiring some of former ABS-CBN's regional analog and digital television stations in 2024. On January 26,Channel 23 was awarded toRPN's sister companyAliw Broadcasting Corporation, and Channel 43 was awarded toApollo Quiboloy-ownedSonshine Media Network International,[84] which also shut down its free-to-air operations in early 2024 due to a cease-and-desist order.[85] On the other hand in 2023 and 2024, its radio frequencies were assigned to the other companies and organizations including Christian Bible Baptist Church,Philippine Collective Media Corporation, andArchdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.
Following the rejection of their renewal broadcast franchise application, ABS-CBN shifted its focus on the line of businesses that do not require legislative franchise. These include international licensing and distribution, digital and cable platforms, content syndication via various streaming services and block-timing with various TV networks.
In an interview withABS-CBN News chief Ging Reyes, said the media network is set in shifting its operations online and she hopes that they could continue their good performance in terms of audience engagement, being the number one news digital property in the country. Once theCOVID-19 pandemic is over, ABS-CBN plans to create additional programs apart fromTV Patrol and produce more online video content and rebuild ABS-CBN's current news affairs lineup in the future such as making documentaries.[86]
Also, in a separate interview withStar Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, he said they are looking for new opportunities and that they would like to venture into international production and the prospect of going beyond the Philippine territory. ABS-CBN and Star Magic would like to be a major player locally and globally by partnering withNetflix,Amazon Prime Video,iQIYI,WeTViflix,Viu,Max,Viva One and otherover-the-top platforms for their content. Back in 2019, the network co-produced with American film production companyElectric Entertainment for the crime drama television seriesAlmost Paradise. It was the network's first taste of a North American production, and a second season of the series is in the planning stage.[87]
On June 15, 2020, ABS-CBN announced its partnership withGMMTV, a leading content company in Thailand, as it bagged the television and over-the-top rights to air eight GMMTV drama series dubbed in Filipino and was shown on Kapamilya Channel and iWantTFC. First to air was the top-trending boys' love (BL) romantic comedy,2gether: The series.[88] The sequel,Still 2gether, was also shown on August 15, 2020, with a one-day delayed telecast from Thailand.[89] A stronger partnership between ABS-CBN and GMMTV is expected as they explore co-production of film and television content, music, and live entertainment. One of them is a virtual fan event called "BrightWin Manila: The Virtual Fan Meet" which was held viaKTX on December 5, 2020, after the success ofHello Stranger: The Final FanCon due to the rising popularity of boys' love (BL) series during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[90] Both networks are also collaborating to co-produce a project starring one of2gether: The series lead actors and an ABS-CBN artist underDreamscape Entertainment. The project is currently under development.[91]
On August 17, 2020, the drama seriesAng sa Iyo ay Akin was the first original digital teleserye to be broadcast onKapamilya Channel andKapamilya Online Live during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the scenes were shot in theABS-CBN Soundstage inside the Horizon IT Park in Bulacan.[92]
On April 13, 2021, ABS-CBN announced a collaboration withBBC andBBC Studios for the Philippine adaptation ofDoctor Foster,[93] entitledThe Broken Marriage Vow.[94][95]
In June 2021, ABS-CBN promoted the Netflix animated seriesTrese (featuring a Filipino voice cast led byLiza Soberano) by replacing the logo outside the network's headquarters in Quezon City with the logo of ABC-ZNN, a fictional media company used in the animated series.[96]
In August 2021, ABS-CBN has acquired the animated series based on the hit mobile gameMobile Legends: Bang Bang, entitledThe Legends of Dawn: The Sacred Stone.[97] A GMMTV drama seriesF4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers is also slated to air on the network's platforms.[98]
On May 2, 2024,Leandro Leviste, a son of former ABS-CBN News journalist and SenatorLoren Legarda, acquired 8.5% stake in ABS-CBN Corporation through his company, LL Holdings, Inc., making him the second largest shareholder of the company after the Lopez group.[99][100] Leviste then raised his stake in the company by 10% the following month.[101]
On October 16, 2024, ABS-CBN Corporation announced that it had laid off 100 employees due to the continued decline of ad revenues in the TV industry, as well as the global decline of the pay TV business, which has affected the company.[102][103][104]
On February 27, 2025, ABS-CBN announced in a disclosure to thePhilippine Stock Exchange that it will sell most of the Broadcast Center toAyala Land for redevelopment, pending regulatory approval, while retaining 1.4 hectares of the property (primarily theELJ Communications Center) where it will consolidate its operations along with its already built soundstages, post-production and production facility at theHorizon PEZA IT Park inSan Jose del Monte,Bulacan.[105][106] The deal will take effect in December 2026.[107] On August 20, 2025, ABS-CBN and Ayala Land have signed the deeds of absolute sale for the purchase of the sold properties.[108]
On June 2025, ABS-CBN officially decided not to pursue a congressional franchise to return to traditional broadcasting, despite Congress granting the franchise. Instead, ABS-CBN will focus on content creation, partnerships and global expansions.[109]
On June 4, 2020, ABS-CBN announced onTV Patrol that the cable-and-satelliteKapamilya Channel launched on June 13, serving as the interim replacement of main ABS-CBN terrestrial network, and thus resuming the production of ABS-CBN live shows and the airing its entertainment, news and current affairs programming, along with films.[110] A high-definition counterpart was also launched onSky Cable andDestiny Cable Channel 167 replacing the now-defunctABS-CBN HD.[111]
On August 24, 2020, ABS-CBN announced that they will be mergingiWant andTFC Online starting September 1 and will be migrating to a new system that will be accessible worldwide and will be callediWantTFC. It offerslive video streamings andvideo on demand of content produced by ABS-CBN, new features such as offline viewing of select movies and series, as well as an enhanced viewing experience on bigger screens through selectsmart TV brands anddigital media players.[112]
In early February 2021, sevenTFC channels went live with Amagi cloud platform to consolidate its play-out operations on thecloud.[113]
The Filipino Channel also launched its new and improved programming lineup with the introduction oftime blocks similar to Kapamilya Channel, new shows and more viewing options while it has successfully completed its migration tohigh-definition in all of its international feed on February 20, 2021, which is available in iWantTFC,TFC IPTV and TFC Direct via cable and satellite.[114][115]
On May 7, 2020, two days after the halt of ABS-CBN's TV and radio broadcast,TV Patrol announced it would continue delivering the news through ABS-CBN News official YouTube channel and Facebook page via live-stream,geo-blocked in the Philippines.[116] This was followed byThe World Tonight on July 27, 2020.[117]
On June 13, 2020,It's Showtime: Online Ü resumed its broadcast onIt's Showtime official YouTube channel and Facebook page simulcast fromKapamilya Channel.[118]
On July 31, 2020, ABS-CBN announced the launch ofKapamilya Online Live, an online entertainment channel that will be streamed on two online video-sharing platforms without any subscription fee. It began to stream on August 1, 2020, and is available both on ABS-CBN Entertainment'sYouTube channel andFacebook page as the network shifts efforts to digital platforms. Live-streams are presented in1080pHD format. It also starts to offer avideo on demand service of its shows accessible for seven days after their original streaming date.[119] ABS-CBN Entertainment currently has more than 60 million followers combined in Facebook and YouTube.[120]
Aside from Kapamilya Online Live, selected ABS-CBN shows are independently live-streaming on several YouTube channels and Facebook pages owned by the network.
Launched in August 2020,KTX also known asKapamilya Tickets is an online ticketing and streaming platform which enables its users to purchase tickets to advance screening of ABS-CBN shows, movies, digital concerts and other event production attractions, as well as avail tickets to ABS-CBN programs to be part of their virtual audience viaZoom.[121] Continuing its digital shift, ABS-CBN is turning to digital events through KTX while big live events are prohibited during the COVID-19 pandemic. It held its first digital fan conference that marked the finale of the BL seriesHello Stranger which later was shown on Kapamilya Online Live and TFC.[122] Originally launched in May 2017, KTX used to be a ticketing portal for ABS-CBN Studio Tour to shows such as It's Showtime and ASAP Natin 'To before the pandemic lockdown.[123] Most notable digital shows handled by KTX includeMiss Universe Philippines 2020,The Fact Music Awards 2020,BrightWin Manila: The Virtual Fan Meet,Freedom: Regine Velasquez-Alcasid Digital Concert andSarah Geronimo Tala: The Film Concert. A new revamp on its web user interface was launched on March 30, 2021.[124]
In October 2020, ABS-CBN partnered withKumu to launch the ninth season of reality TV showPinoy Big Brother: Connect amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The app hosted online auditions for the reality show, which attracted over 100,000 new users, and it also live-streamed activities inside the Big Brother House when the show premiered.[125][126]The partnership between the two parties entails greater visibility for ABS-CBN's artists and talents outside of mainstream media, with Kumu providing an alternative channel for said artists to connect with their large fan bases locally. It's currently live-streamingGame Ka Na Ba?, the first game show in the world to be watched on television and played on a mobile app,[127][128] separate channels for FYE,MOR Entertainment,Myx, SeenZone as well as artist fromBGYO,BINI,MNL48,Star Magic, Star Hunt,Polaris,Star Music andRise Artist Studio.[129][130]
On November 11, 2020, ABS-CBN announced that viewers worldwide will have free access toTV Patrol on ABS-CBN News YouTube and Facebook account, lifting thegeo-blocking to the said show while local viewers will also be able to live-stream and catch up on episodes of variousANC andTeleRadyo shows for the first time.[131] ABS-CBN News completely lifted the use of geo-blocking to all of its content on March 1, 2021.[132]
TheABS-CBN Radio Service is an app that let its users to have access to the exclusive news, talk and music content directly from their mobile device no matter where they are located in the world. It live-streams audio fromTeleradyo and the most recently addedMOR Entertainment andMyxRadio[133] while latest podcast from selectedABS-CBN News andANC programs such asTV Patrol are available on demand. The said app is part ofABS-CBN Digital Media division in partnership withZeno Media[134] and is currently available oniOS andAndroid devices free of charge.[135]
On October 6, 2020,ABS-CBN Corporation announced that they would air its shows and movies back on Free TV via the new "A2Z" channel on October 10. It is ablocktime agreement (later entered asairtime lease agreement on May 30, 2022) between the media conglomerate andZOE Broadcasting Network.[136][137] A month later, Minority Leader and CongressmanJoseph Stephen Paduano ofAbang Lingkod Party List called for an investigation into the ABS-CBN-A2Z Channel 11 blocktime deal.[138] TheNational Telecommunications Commission (NTC) andBureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) were told to investigate.[139]
On January 18, 2021,ABS-CBN Corporation andTV5 Network, Inc. were allegedly doing a partnership agreement to further expand the reach of Kapamilya Network on Free TV. There are some possible results that most of ABS-CBN shows and programs that were not able to be broadcast on ABS-CBN andZOE'sA2Z would be aired onTV5.[140]
On January 21, 2021, ABS-CBN jointly announced with TV5 andCignal TV, in conjunction withBrightlight Productions, that bothASAP and theFPJ: Da King movie block debuted on the Kapatid network's lineup every Sunday afternoon on January 24. This also marks the first time that ABS-CBN programs would be aired on free-to-air television nationwide since the May 5, 2020 shutdown. Despite this development, both programs continued to air onKapamilya Channel,Kapamilya Online Live (except FPJ: Da King), andA2Z.[141]
On March 5, 2021, ABS-CBN and TV5/Cignal announced that TV5 would also simulcast the ABS-CBN's primetime lineup programs on March 8.[142]
On April 5, 2022, ABS-CBN andGMA Network, Inc. forged a partnership that will bringStar Cinema movies toGMA's local channels.[143]
On April 6, 2022, ABS-CBN jointly announced withBroadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media to launch its TV channel "PIE" in partnership with the conglomerate, Kroma Entertainment and 917Ventures.
In June 2022, ABS-CBN engaged into advanced talks with TV5's parent company,MediaQuest Holdings to allow its resources combined after Villar Group-backedAdvanced Media Broadcasting System acquiredABS-CBN's former frequency, and began operations on September 13 asAll TV-2, a flagship station ofAll TV.[144][145] On August 10, 2022, ABS-CBN and MediaQuest Holdings signed a "convertible note agreement" as announced on the following day for the ABS-CBN's investment into TV5 Network by acquiring 34.99% of the company's common shares, with an option to increase it stake to 49.92% within the next eight years with MediaQuest remained as the TV5's controlling shareholder with 64.79% of TV5's common shares. Meanwhile, MediaQuest Holdings executed a "debt instruments agreement" by acquiring a 38.88% minority stake of ABS-CBN's cable TV armSky Cable Corporation throughCignal TV, with an option to acquire an additional 61.12% of Sky Cable shares within the next eight years.[146][147][148] On August 16, theHouse of Representatives originally schedule a briefing on the investment of ABS-CBN and TV5 deal on August 18,[149] however, it was silently cancelled on the following day.[150] On August 24, the two broadcasting companies agreed to pause their closing preparations for the deal following concerns from politicians and some government agencies.[151] However, the agreement was terminated on September 1.[152]
In September 2022, ABS-CBN andAdvanced Media Broadcasting System announced thatAll TV would air the reruns of their respective drama series on September 14, apart from the original programs.
On May 23, 2023, ABS-CBN announced in a press release that the company will enter into a joint venture agreement withPrime Media Holdings, Inc, owned byHouse Speaker RepresentativeMartin Romualdez. Among the plans for ABS-CBN and Prime Media joint venture is the possible revival ofDZMM on its frequency 630 kHz.[153][154] 630 kHz conducted a test broadcast on June 26, 2023 under theDWPM callsign, it had its soft launch on June 30 asRadyo 630 and officially launched on July 17. The frequency is owned byPhilippine Collective Media Corporation and operated by Media Serbisyo Production Corporation, a joint venture betweenPrime Media Holdings (through its indirect subsidiary Philippine Collective Media Corporation) andABS-CBN Corporation.[155][156]
On June 20, 2023, ABS-CBN jointly announced withCitynet Network Marketing and Productions Inc. (a subsidiary ofGMA Network Inc.), thatIt's Showtime will be simulcasted onGTV on July 1.[157][158]
On March 20, 2024, ABS-CBN jointly announced withGMA Network, thatIt's Showtime will be simulcasted on the Kapuso network's noontime slot replacing the short-lived TAPE Inc.-produced noontime variety showTahanang Pinakamasaya.[159][160]
On April 11, 2024, ABS-CBN jointly announced withAdvanced Media Broadcasting System, thatTV Patrol andTV Patrol Weekend, along with programs fromJeepney TV, as well asMagandang Buhay and laterIt's Showtime andGoin' Bulilit will be aired onALLTV. This marked the return of some ABS-CBN programs on channels 2 and 16 in Manila (and subsequently to other regional channels), frequencies previously held by the said content provider. The partnership between ABS-CBN and AMBS was formalized after the two companies signed content agreements on April 23, 2024, which took effect on May 13, 2024.[161][162][163][164][165][166]
On May 27, 2024, ABS-CBN andPrime Media Holdings announced thatTeleRadyo Serbisyo programs along withTV Patrol andTV Patrol Weekend will be simulcasted onPRTV Prime Media.
On January 28, 2025, ABS-CBN and GMA Network announced that they would bringing the collaboration for 20th Anniversary ofPinoy Big Brother as aCelebrity Collab Edition. This significant allows for Artist from the two media companies.[167][168][169][170]
On May 29, 2025, ABS-CBN, Prime Media and PCMC announced that DWPM Radyo 630 and Teleradyo Serbisyo reverts back to its previous branding,DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 alongside with the branding return of its television counterpart asDZMM TeleRadyo after 5 years of hiatus.
On March 18, 2021, ABS-CBN andWeTViflix announced a landmark partnership that brings the Kapamilya network's primetime programs, includingFPJ's Ang Probinsyano to the two streaming platforms starting March 20, with early access for subscribed users. Viewers can watch brand new series first as it premieres on WeTV and iflix VIP 46 hours before it airs on local TV.[171][172]
On October 11, 2021, during the26th Busan International Film Festival,iQIYI partnered with ABS-CBN to release two Philippine series exclusively on the streaming platform later this year.[173] It is considered to be their first local originals in Southeast Asia.[174]
On January 15, 2022, they launched onViu with partnered on ABS-CBN to release a hit adaptationThe Broken Marriage Vow starting on January 22, 2022, on the 48 Hours Free TV Broadcast.[175] On January 23, 2023 a historic collab between ABS-CBN and GMA Network has been announced and will release their first seriesUnbreak My Heart and will be streamed on Viu in 15 international territories in 2023.[176]
On February 7, 2022, ABS-CBN andYouTube announced its partnership to develop and produce a new original series that will stream exclusively on the video-streaming platform. Based on the co-production deal, ABS-CBN will develop a romantic-comedy series calledHow to Move On in 30 Days which will premiere the same year.[177]
On April 19, 2022, ABS-CBN andNetflix closed a groundbreaking simulcast deal wherein2 Good 2 Be True have an exclusive 72-hour window on the global streaming platform before its episodes aired on television.[178]
In October 2022,Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) announced an agreement with ABS-CBN to license lifestyle programming from its pay television channelMetro Channel in Central and Southeast Asia, with distribution viaDiscovery+,Discovery Asia, andAsian Food Network.[179][180]
 | |
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Predecessor | ABS-CBN Regional News Group |
| Founded | 1988; 37 years ago (1988) (as broadcast network) January 25, 2025; 10 months ago (2025-01-25) (as content provider) |
| Defunct | August 28, 2020; 5 years ago (2020-08-28) (as broadcast network) |
| Fate | List
|
Key people | Veneranda Sy |
| Parent | ABS-CBN Corporation |
ABS-CBN Regional (formerly ABS-CBN Regional Network Group) is a media and content company. It was the regional network division of ABS-CBN and was responsible for simultaneously airing most of the shows seen onABS-CBN's flagship station in the provinces, with all stations (including Cebu, Bacolod and Davao) reopening in 1988 after suspension due tomartial law enacted in September 1972. Manila's flagship station reopened after thePeople Power Revolution in September 1986. ABS-CBN Regional had several stations in each region outsideMega Manila to ensure nationwide coverage.[citation needed]
The local stations also produced their own newscasts which air prior toTV Patrol and another local programming which air on Sundays. The launch of the local game showKapamilya Winner Ka! (now renamed asKapamilya, Mas Winner Ka!) in the Visayas and Mindanao,Bagong Morning Kapamilya in North Luzon (Baguio and Dagupan), the 17th localTV Patrol in Southern Tagalog (Region IV-A), and the 18th localTV Patrol in Palawan (IV-B; the network had an affiliate station) provided more relevance to regional audiences.[181][failed verification]
On April 15, 2011, Regional launched Choose Philippines, a new website promoting tourism in the Philippines by sharing photos and stories of the most extravagant places, culture and arts.[182]
ABS-CBN Regional ceased its operations on August 28, 2020, after almost 32 years after the denial of its legislative franchise on July 10.[183][184][185] Currently, some of ABS-CBN Regional's TV frequencies are acquired by now-affiliatesAdvanced Media Broadcasting System andZOE Broadcasting Network for its networksAll TV andA2Z respectively (with ABS-CBN's transmitter equipment for its former frequencies now being leased to and subsequently acquired by the aforementioned).
In late 2022, ABS-CBN Regional gradually resumed operations as a sales and marketing arm, primarily promoting ABS-CBN programs aired on various free-to-air channels with which it has agreements, such as A2Z, All TV, GMA Network and TV5. Additionally, they restarted hosting regional events featuring ABS-CBN talents and personalities after years of hiatus due to the pandemic.[186]
In January 2025, ABS-CBN Regional had returned to content production, launching its first post-shutdown weekly local magazine show,Bisaya Ni, and free-to-air broadcast ofMOR Entertainment-producedDear MOR. Both programs air on A2Z's Cebu station and its sister stations across the Visayas and Mindanao.[187] On October 28, 2025, it announced the revival ofTV Patrol Regional on November 2 as a digital-only weekly program focusing on news in theVisayas area and to be delivered onCebuano language.[188] On November 16, 2025, the newscast started airing on TV via A2Z andKapamilya Channel, marking its return to television after 5 years.
ABS-CBN Corporation initially applied for a license from theNational Telecommunications Commission to operate a digital terrestrial television service in the country back in 2007.[189] ABS-CBN planned to utilizemultiplex to offer ABS-CBN,S+A, and 5 additional specialty TV channels. The conglomerate was expected to spend at least 1 billion pesos annually for the next 5 years for its DTT transition.[190] ABS-CBN utilized UHF channel 51 Manila (695.143 MHz), laterUHF Channel 43 (647.143 MHz), for test broadcasts in the DVB-T format. ABS-CBN was expected to begin digital test broadcasts in January 2009.[189][191]
In June 2010, the NTC announced that it would formally adopt the Japanese standardISDB-T for digital broadcasting and issued a circular commanding all the country's television networks to switch-off their analog services on December 31, 2015, at 11:59 p.m.Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8).[192] But due to delay of the release of the implementing rules and regulations for digital television broadcast, the target date was moved to 2023.[193]
In April 2011, the conglomerate announced further details about its DTT plans, which would offer ABS-CBN andStudio 23 (currentlyS+A). In addition, four new channels which will be exclusively available to its digital users will be offered once the digital broadcast start. The specialty TV channel lineup will include one news channel, one youth-oriented channel, an educational channel, and a movie channel. The conglomerate was also planning to utilize the1seg (one segment) broadcast standard forhandheld devices.[194][195][196][197]
In September 2014, ABS-CBN soft-launched its DTT service started selling ISDB-T receivers in selected barangays in Metro Manila under Sky TV+ brand. Later, it was rebranded as ABS-CBN TVplus.[198]
On February 11, 2015, ABS-CBN formally launched its DTT service under the name ABS-CBN TVplus in a formal switch-over ceremony held at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center. The ABS-CBN TVplus service has four exclusive TV channels which are free of charge; these are movie channelCine Mo!, news channelDZMM TeleRadyo, educational channelKnowledge Channel, and kids channelYey!. In addition to ABS-CBN andS+A, all non-encrypted digital terrestrial broadcast within the area was also carried by the service. ABS-CBN TVplus also providespay per view,EWBS, andBML services. As of February 2020, ABS-CBN TVplus has sold over 9 million units of its set-top boxes.[199]
ABS-CBN HD was a Philippinepay television channel, working as the high-definition feed ofABS-CBN. It was launched on October 3, 2015 initially onSky Cable andDestiny Cable and later on iWant (nowiWantTFC),Sky On Demand, andSky Direct, broadcasting in1080i at aframe rate of 50 fps (via Sky Direct) or at 60fps. The network including its HD feed dissolved on May 5, 2020 at 7:52 pm followingTV Patrol. It was replaced byKapamilya Channel HD on June 13, 2020.[71]
In 2007, ABS-CBN began producing contents in high-definition. This wasRounin, a science fiction, fantasy series created byErik Matti. This was followed by ABS-CBN's drama anthologyMaalaala Mo Kaya from 2008 to 2022 (with the episodes being letterboxed if aired on standard definition television (SDTV)). The network's first Christmas station ID to be produced in high definition is the 2010–2011'sNgayong Pasko Magniningning ang Pilipino from November 4, 2010 to January 2011. The second ABS-CBN series to be produced in HD isBudoy in 2011. Prior to this, big-budget series likeEsperanza,Mula sa Puso,Pangako Sa 'Yo, andKay Tagal Kang Hinintay were shot in16mm film with a 4:3 aspect ratios while low budget series, on the other hand, were shot in smaller formats. The network's last drama series to be produced in 4:3 aspect ratio isMoon of Desire which aired from March 31 to August 15, 2014, while the last program overall to be produced and aired on a said aspect ratio are theABS-CBN News and Current Affairs programs such asUmagang Kay Ganda,TV Patrol, andBandila where they were switched to high definition (1080i,16:9HDTV) format on April 2, 2018. Beginning withSana Bukas pa ang Kahapon on June 16, 2014, all of ABS-CBN's TV series were all produced in high-definition format.Ningning was the first Filipino TV series to be broadcast in HD on October 5, 2015, whileMaalaala Mo Kaya was the first mini-series to do so the day before. On the other hand, the first ever locally produced live entertainment program to be broadcast in HD was the musical variety showASAP on October 4, 2015. The aspect ratio of the network'sbreak bumper was changed from 4:3 to 16:9 on June 13, 2016. Overall, TV broadcast contents on ABS-CBN in 4:3 aspect ratio were originally aired and produced until April 1, 2018. Since April 2, 2018, broadcast contents on ABS-CBN are now all in 16:9 aspect ratio thus the network phased out the production of contents in 4:3 ratio on the said date.
In 2008, ABS-CBN began moving to a fully tapeless workflow and since then, the network has digitalized all areas of its production. ABS-CBN eventually completed its plan to upgrade its studios facilities from SD definition to HD definition for the ad play out in September 2010. The increasing demand of high-impact HD commercial content from their clients and audiences pushed ABS-CBN to definitely setting up the ad play out of more than 20 cable TV channels with Etere MTX system. MTX system is used as a quick content player with fast access to all video commercials, able to play multiple formats with no conversion. The network moves to MTX in April 2013, as it is planning a refurbishment of its regional stations across the country that will include an Enterprise MAM video exchange based on Etere technologies. ABS-CBN has a plan to refurbish and innovate all its regional stations to allow their playout systems to be synchronized with the main playout facility. The 1st installation is performed in Dagupan and the project is expected to be completed in 2 years. ABS-CBN's regional stations are mainly running low-cost, low performance hardware and software, far away from broadcast affordability and performances. In order to achieve this goal, the network will extend their Etere systems to all the regional stations. The playout and video management system will be based on MTX, with a pure “software only” approach, all the traditional video hardware is replaced by software, including master switcher and logo generator.[200][201][202]
On April 19, 2009,Sony announced the acquisition of ABS-CBN of 24 units of its Sonyhigh-definitionprofessional video cameras through a press release published on Sony's official website.[203] On July 11, 2009, ABS-CBN launched a high definition feed ofBalls (nowS+A HD) inSkyCable under the name Balls HD, the first local high-definition TV channel in the history of Philippine television. On the same day, Balls HD broadcast the first locally produced coverage of an event in high-definition, theUAAP Season 72 basketball game which was produced byABS-CBN Sports.[204][205] In addition, two of its three news helicopters are capable of transmitting high-definition live feeds from its 5 axis gimbal HD camera mounted on the aircraft.[206]
On April 20, 2010,Ikegami, a Japanese manufacturer of professional and broadcast television equipment announced the acquisition of ABS-CBN of 75 units of Ikegami high-definition professional video cameras forelectronic newsgathering.[207]
In 2014, ABS-CBN replaced its 1986 broadcastplayout with black transition screen except thebreak bumper followed by the first program teaser with the current 2014 one without transition in between advertisements and teasers by replacing the master controls as part of a modernization of the network's broadcast facilities. The first few months of this upgrade had still the advertisements after the show's title card that is shown when the program pauses then the break bumper for the program teasers and show's resume although without the black screen transition. As a result of the 2014 upgrade, the network's broadcasting format has also been changed on late August 2014 by having the bumper and teasers now shown after the program pauses and before the advertisements. This change have been carried on main ABS-CBN terrestrial channel's successorsKapamilya Channel and laterA2Z since April 17, 2022 for certain programs and broadcasts that are connected or rely to the main ABS-CBN/Kapamilya Channel playout (both ABS-CBN and A2Z-produced shows). A2Z (all programs and broadcasts from January 18, 2021 to April 16, 2022, and those that are not using the main ABS-CBN/Kapamilya Channel playout and connected from other networks where a bumper is shown after the advertisements such asIt's Showtime andASAP since 2022) andTV5, however, still have a bumper shown after the advertisements like the older 1986–2014 ABS-CBN playout although still without the black transition.
On October 3, 2015, ABS-CBN launched a high-definition feed inSky Cable andDestiny Cable under the nameABS-CBN HD. This marked the Philippines' first commercial television network to be launched in high-definition. The said channel will broadcast selected shows of ABS-CBN in a true high-definition picture while the remaining shows will be broadcast in upscaled standard definition picture withpillarbox to preserve its original4:3 aspect ratio.[208] ABS-CBN HD was also made available onSky Direct,iWant, andSky On Demand.
On May 5, 2020, ABS-CBN HD dissolved its operations, together with its SD feed and other ABS-CBN's free TV and radio stations, following thecease-and-desist order from theNational Telecommunications Commission after its legislative franchise expired on May 4.[71]
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In 2007, in preparation for digital and high-definition television broadcasting, ABS-CBN acquiredserver andpost-production technologies developed byEVS Broadcast Equipment, making ABS-CBN the first broadcaster inSoutheast Asia to gotapeless.[205] EVS provided ABS-CBN a 100 percent digital andnon-linear editing system andpost-production workflow as well as wireless access through a media access management system servers installed inoutside broadcastingvan. This will be integrated to technologies developed byAvid Technology,[209][210]Snell, andRuckus Wireless.[211]
ABS-CBN started digitizing its film and television content in 2004.[212] Further expansions both locally and globally started in 2008 with the integration of its playlist import. In 2010, ABS-CBN started to replaceSeaChange International servers withHarmonic Inc. and Etere managing a multi-server, multi-channel system; they also started the HD playout using theChannel in a box technology of Etere MTX.[213]
In 2007, ABS-CBN acquired a Media Asset Management System (MAMS) fromIBM Corporation for a cost of US$4 million.[214] The IBM MAMS includes a hardware infrastructure support and 2petabytes (2000terabytes) of data storage that was expected to grow by 36 percent over the next few years as ABS-CBN was already generating over 700 hours of content a month.[215] The MAMS will be integrated to the million dollar Dalet Digital Media Systems[216] and Avid Unity ISIS (Infinitely Scalable Intelligent Storage)[212][dead link] that will enable ABS-CBN to digitize and store its over 200,000 hours of television content and its library of over 2000 films.[214] As of 2016,ABS-CBN Film Archives, in partnership with Central Digital Lab, Inc., has digitized, restored, and remastered over 100 films which includes classics such asHimala,Oro, Plata, Mata, andGanito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon?.[217]
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