ABS-CBN maintains digital TV lead
Credit to Author: Lisbet K. Esmael| Date: Fri, 06 Dec 2019 16:15:01 +0000
Despite the current administration’s threat not to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN, the media giant maintained its lead in the shift to digital television, signalling it remains to be a major player in the local broadcast industry.
Although the Kapamilya network failed to realize progress about its franchise issue after President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this week stressed that he would block its franchise renewal, the network said on Friday sales of its TVplus reached 8.9 million last month, increasing its digital terrestrial television (DTT) penetration rate across the country.
“With the rapid rise of TVplus homes nationwide, digital TV is fast becoming the standard in television viewing on the Philippines,” Charles Lim, ABS-CBN head of Access, was quoted as saying in a statement.
The Kapamilya network was the first in the country to adapt the technology in February 2015, following the government’s mandate to fully embrace digital television by 2023.
Its main rival GMA Network, on the other hand, has yet to roll out its own product, dubbed as MyGMA Go, in the second half.
GMA Chair and Chief Executive Officer Felipe Gozon in May said the device, which may be priced at P500 below, is different from its competitor’s DTT set top boxes, as it would be connected to laptops or mobile phones, allowing users to watch Kapuso shows.
However, ABS-CBN upstaged the Kapuso network anew as it launched in August its TVplus Go, a mobile version of its set top boxes.
President Duterte reiterated he would “object” the renewal of the Kapamilya network’s franchise, which is set to expire next year, amid allegations that ABS-CBN aired a political ad against him, without even showing the President’s paid campaign ad.
Sought for comments, ABS-CBN did not reply as of press time.
Late in April, ABS-CBN said its shareholders provided the go-signal to pursue its deals with cosmetics brand Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc., information and technology firm iBayad Online Ventures, and The Chosen Bun Inc.
Japhet Louis Tantiangco, research analyst at Philstocks Financial Inc., told The Manila Times earlier these moves from ABS-CBN could “serve as a cushion” if it failed to secure franchise renewal.
“Now these investments could serve as a back up in case of a franchise lapse. But at the same time broadcasting has been the primary business of ABS-CBN, plus it could help its investments through televising. So I think the firm is still going to do everything it can to renew its franchise,” he said in a mobile message.
Shares of ABS-CBN inched by 3.46 percent or 58 centavos to close at P17.36 apiece on Friday.