More Kapamilya viewers can now watch their favorite ABS-CBN programs as TV5 and A2Z initiated digital TV broadcasts in key urban centers outside Metro Manila.
Both A2Z and TV5 are pulling off their efforts to reach more viewers this year by making their flagship TV channels available to major urban centers in the country. After initiating digital broadcasts in both Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro, A2Z, alongside its sister UHF channel, Light Channel, is will become available in more locations in the country, including former Kapamilya bailiwicks, Davao, Zamboanga, Naga, General Santos, and Cebu. Since January, the Zoe Broadcasting Network-operated channels were made available in Iloilo and Guimaras. Also, four months earlier, the channel became available in Eastern Visayas via Zoe Broadcasting Network’s partnership with the Romualdez-owned Philippine Collective Media corporation.
This month, also, TV5 initiated its first digital broadcast in Zamboanga via GBPI TV. TV5’s presence across the region has been maintained across the peninsula for three decades through DXGB-TV, the network’s analog affiliate station in Zamboanga City. DXGB will have additional relay TV stations across Western Mindanao, including Dipolog, Pagadian, and Sulu. Currently, the channel is available to viewers in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and parts of the Lanao provinces.
Last year, TV5 has initiated its digital broadcast in Baguio, Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro.
Through the expansions–TV5 and A2Z are bringing back Kapamilya shows to ABS-CBN’s former rating strongholds.
Before its shutdown in May 2020, ABS-CBN maintained a double-digit lead over its closest rival, GMA Network, and the reigning free TV network in the country for the last two years. Kapamilya viewers can again follow their favorite Kapamilya stars and their hit TV shows like the six-year-old action drama series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. Recently, it zoomed back to being the most-watched TV drama, despite limited free TV reach.
It’s also worth noting that these digital TV expansions will likely help TV5 and A2Z improve their respective viewerships. TV5, for example, nearly doubled its pre-ABS-CBN collaboration viewership by the end of 2021.
Meanwhile, Zoe Broadcasting Network has attracted more viewers for A2Z by airing additional Kapamilya programs.
In January, TV Patrol began airing on Channel 11, marking the return of the 34-year old newscast to free television, nearly two years since the ABS-CBN shutdown.
