FICTAP (Federation of the International Cable TV and Telecommunications Association of the Philippines) President Neng Juliano Tamano assured their subscribers that their cable provider members will carry the ABS-CBN programs that will air on A2Z Channel 11.
In a report by Johnson Manabat for DZMM Teleradyo’s Headline Pilipinas, Tamano said that they are bound by the NTC’ mass carry rule which obliged all cable TV providers to air all local channels.
“Eh alam mo, basta mga program naman sa TV network meron kasing batas na pinairal ang NTC mass carry rule. Sa ayaw namin sa gusto kailangan icarry namin yung mga local TV network. Ike-carry naman namin yan, hindi pedeng hindi i-carry kasi nasa batas yan,” said Tamano.
FICTAP was one of the main oppositors of the ABS-CBN franchise during its renewal application in Congress.
In an interview with 24 Oras after ABS-CBN went off the air following the cease and desist order by the NTC, Tamano accused ABS-CBN of violating its franchise by airing multiple channels via its digital TV box, TV Plus which according to her is killing the cable industry.
Tamano argued that a TV network should only have one channel per franchise.
However, ABS-CBN and several individuals including the president of the Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association Inc (PCTA) Ronaldo Manlapig said there is no provision in the law that says one franchise pertains to a frequency that comes with a network franchise can carry multiple channels.
“Hindi natin kailangan na magkaroon ng isang franchise bawat channel. Ang prangkisa ng isang broadcasting company katulad ng ABS-CBN, nakalagay na doon ‘yung frequency,” Manlapig said.
ABS-CBN’s TV Plus was one of the arguments used by Congressmen opposed to ABS-CBN’s franchise in deciding to reject its application.
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN is all set to return to free TV via the newly rebranded A2Z Channel 11.
It’s Showtime, ASAP Natin ‘To, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, and Walang Hanggang Paalam will start airing over the weekend.
Other Kapamilya programs like MMK, Magandang Buhay, I Can See Your Voice, Iba Yan, and Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan are expecting to follow in the coming weeks.
