Smile! Something better is coming for sure.
If the buzz from the grapevine is true, ABS-CBN would expand its limited digital TV presence to its former bailiwicks in Northern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Looks like better days are not yet over for ABS-CBN, as another landmark deal that will bring its contents back to more Kapamilya viewers. It is reportedly poised to get sealed soon.
Before this speculation, there have been hopes for the expansion of ABS-CBN’s digital presence nationwide, as both A2Z and TV5’s digital coverage, remain insufficient to reach much of ABS-CBN’s former strongholds.
A2Z, for example, can only be seen in Mega Manila and adjacent provinces, while TV5, maintains only two digital terrestrial TV stations in Metro Manila, and Zamboanga. It can be noted, however, that TV5 proved to be of much help, in terms of expanding ABS-CBN’s reach, when ABS-CBN Entertainment programs’ ratings doubled, after their debut on TV5, last month.
Since ABS-CBN Entertainment shows began airing on TV5, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano have been posting its highest ratings since the shutdown. It has, in fact, alongside fellow Kapamilya primetime program, Huwag Kang Mangamba, been frequenting the Top 10 most-watched programs nationwide, according to AGB Nielsen scorecards, proving that coverage is what largely keeping ABS-CBN shows from rating much higher.
Much of this speculation is also generated by the fact that TV Patrol, and other ABS-CBN News programs, remain unavailable to a big portion of Kapamilya audiences, as only ABS-CBN Entertainment programs are being carried by both A2Z and TV5.
There’s been a loudening call for TV Patrol, and ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs programs to air on more accessible platforms, as they continue today, to air only via the pay-tv channel, Kapamilya Channel, and various streaming platforms.
If this incoming partnership will indeed bring ABS-CBN News programs back to free television, as suggested by still unverified reports, then ABS-CBN will practically make its return to its former bailiwicks across the country.
There are a number of franchise bearing-networks that ABS-CBN may partner with, to boost its nationwide presence. Some of these networks have more extensive digital tv operations nationwide than either A2Z or TV5. If this rumored partnership pushes through, ABS-CBN will be again available to much of its former audiences.
And with TV Patrol’s return, ABS-CBN will strengthen its commitment to enlighten the audiences, to fight disinformation, and to help bolster Philippine media’s collective effort to bring the truth to the Filipino people, and to turn real-time and correct information a life-saver to communities that are prone to disaster–a task that has been harder than ever, since the shutdown of the country’s biggest news organization.
While all those aforementioned remain speculations (and may not happen, at all), it is worthy to note that ABS-CBN, with its current platforms, has already made massive progress in reaching its loyal audiences, nationwide.
It is expected to further move forward as more and more people become aware of its strengthened free-TV presence via TV5. As ABS-CBN’s partnership with TV5 is expected to go on, upcoming Kapamilya programs are also poised to debut on the Kapatid Network. It remains to be seen, however, if It’s Showtime, alongside other non-primetime ABS-CBN-produced shows, will also be seen on TV5.
