ABS-CBN is on track in its commitment to help accelerate the Philippines’ transition to digital TV as the country’s first digital terrestrial television service has already sold 2.6 million ABS-CBN TVplus units as of March 2017.
The rise in TVplus boxes sold has also contributed to the increase in ABS-CBN’s audience share rise to 36% in Mega Manila this year from 30% in 2015, according to data from Kantar Media.
ABS-CBN’s ratings in Mega Manila also rose to 14% from 11% in 2015.
Chinky Alcedo, head of ABS-CBN Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), said that ABS-CBN is dedicated to help the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) fast track ABS-CBN TVplus penetration so more Filipino families can experience the life-changing benefits of ABS-CBN TVplus.
“We are in full support of the DICT in accelerating the shift from analog to digital because we believe there is a massive need for Filipinos to experience digital TV,” she said.
ABS-CBN TVplus’ promise of clear picture and as well as additional premium channels with no monthly fees also enticed consumers, having penetrated up to 26% of the C2D homes in 2017.
The news was shared with advertisers in the ABS-CBN trade event last March 30, which showed the rising demand of viewers for TVplus boxes because of its promise of crystal clear viewing, free exclusive channels, and no monthly fees.
During the first quarter of 2016, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) initiated the call for all broadcast networks to shift to digital TV.
Expansion of ABS-CBN TVplus’ signal coverage in Davao last March also echoes and strengthens ABS-CBN’s commitment as areas including Davao City, Island Garden of Samal, Asuncion, Carmen, City of Tagum, Digos, Hagonoy, Kapalong, Laak, Mabini, Maco, Malalag, New Corella, Padada, Panabo, Pantukan, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, and Sulop can now enjoy the many benefits of DTT.
Among the benefits that ABS-CBN’S DTT service offers are access to entertainment, information, and educational TV content broadcast in clear picture and sound at an affordable cost.
Chinky explained that as of today, 80% of TV households in the Philippines that cannot afford cable TV have no choice but to endure poor quality viewing of limited free-to-air channels with the prevailing analog TV system.
But with ABS-CBN TVplus, dramatically clear TV viewing of free-to-air digital channels can be experienced, which is currently being delivered by ABS-CBN TVplus, the country’s first digital TV service that was rolled out in 2015.
“ABS-CBN has the conviction that digital TV has a transformational role in nation building because it empowers our citizens by giving them more choices,” she added.
On top of airing free-to-air channels ABS-CBN and all-day sports channel S+A, ABS-CBN TVplus also airs free exclusive channels. These are CineMo, an all-day movie channel; YeY!, an all-day children’s entertainment channel, Knowledge Channel, an educational channel that airs curriculum-based programs and content for primary and secondary students, and DZMM TeleRadyo, which offers the live TV broadcast of programs from DZMM radio.
“ABS-CBN TVplus also has a built-in emergency warning broadcast system (EWBS) that alerts TVplus users on natural calamities and gives them safety precautions. The emergency warning can be triggered by the designated government agency in times of calamity.
Last year, ABS-CBN TVplus tapped partner schools of Knowledge Channel for the simulation during the Metro Manila-wide earth drill. At exactly 9AM, the warning message flashed on the TV screen, while students watched Knowledge Channel via ABS-CBN TVplus. The students then quickly performed ‘duck, cover, and hold,’ which was the safety instruction from the EWBS message.
The EWBS is a technology available through the ISDBT, which is the standard chosen by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
Last year, ABS-CBN TVplus also started introducing the Kapamilya Box Office (KBO) feature in its effort to democratize movie content and help Filipino families build stronger relationships at home.
Although a full transition to digital TV would require from networks a lot of investment, Alcedo said the ultimate winner would be the Filipino family.
“The migration will ultimately serve the Filipino family as they become more informed, entertained, educated, and empowered. As we say in ABS-CBN, we support this migration in the service of the Filipino people.”
Aside from Davao, ABS-CBN TVplus signal coverage is also available in Metro Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, Bacolod, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, Tarlac, Benguet, and Cavite with over two million users. The ABS-CBN TVplus box is offered at a very affordable one-time payment fee of P1,499.
