President and CEO of ABS-CBN Corporation, Carlo Katigbak, shared a powerful message to journalists on the first anniversary of the Network’s shutdown.
Katigbak emphasized the values that the ABS-CBN News team upholds when delivering vital information to the public.
“We pledge to uphold news that is fair, balanced, and impartial, but news that is brave, honest, and courageous.”
Katigbak echoed ABS-CBN’s creed of serving the Filipino despite the lack of franchise and facilities.
“ABS-CBN is not our franchise, not our transmitters, not our studios. ABS-CBN is/ found in the heart of every Kapamilya that chooses to serve the Filipino. ABS-CBN is you. For so long as the passion to/ serve/ burns brightly in you, ABS-CBN will continue to be alive and well.”
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Despite their move to digital programming, ABS-CBN still encountered uphill struggles brought by the pandemic and the shutdown. It led to ABS-CBN’s retrenchment–impacting the Network’s employees, assets, and talents.
As months went by, the Network clawed way back into the free TV arena by forging partnerships with other networks. At first, they partnered with Zoe TV via a block time deal. After that, they went on and penned another block time deal with TV5.
Despite all these impressive feats, ABS-CBN still lacks its previous luster from its nationwide reach through a free TV franchise.
To date, many outlying communities who rely on the Kapamilya network’s news programs suffered tremendous losses, especially in times of calamities.
Nonetheless, ABS-CBN’s effort to return to its former free TV glory through digital platforms and partnerships remains an impressive feat considering how stacked the decks are against the Network.
