The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued a memorandum circular directing all media networks (both television and radio) to submit their block time deals for their approval.
In a memo dated June 23 and signed by NTC Chair Gamaliel Cordoba, the NTC directed all TV and radio stations to limit their block time deals to 50% of their total daily airtimes.
“Submit blocktime agreements for the Commission’s approval prior to the consummation of implementation of such agrements. Blocktime agreements should not be more than 50% of the daily airtime broadcast of the radion and/or television stations.
“Authorized radio and television broadcast entities, its management and board of directors shall be solidary liable with the block timer for any violation committed by the block timer arising from the content or programs under the block time agreements.”
NTC’s current move was a complete contradiction from Cordoba’s previous statement.
During the Congressional hearings on the ABS-CBN franchise in July 2020, Cordoba said that the NTC has no jurisdiction over contents and block time agreements. He said block time agreements are regulated by the KBP.
“Wala kaming kinalaman sa content o sa ganyang arrangement between the broadcasters.”
NTC Comm. Gamaliel Cordoba clarifies that KBP regulates blocktime arrangements, not NTC. "Wala kaming kinalaman sa content o sa ganyang arrangement between the broadcasters," he said.
— House of Representatives of the Philippines (@HouseofRepsPH) July 2, 2020
Cordoba also added that the only jurisdiction of NTC is purely on the technical aspects of broadcasting.
“Ang jurisdiction ng NTC ay dun lamang sa technical, sa transmission. Pero hindi sa content.”
Cordoba: Ang jurisdiction ng NTC ay dun lamang sa technical, sa transmission. Pero hindi sa content.
— House of Representatives of the Philippines (@HouseofRepsPH) July 2, 2020
Meanwhile, following the release of the memo, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) quickly shared their opposition to the NTC’s move.
In a statement, KBP President Herman Basbano said NTC has no jurisdiction over the type of programs or content that a network will produce.
“We believe it is the station’s prerogative to choose the type of programs they will adopt whether it is station produced, co-produced with another party or [throgh] block time with 3rd party. We believe NTC has no jurisdiction over content,” said KBP President Herman Basbano said in a statement.
Basbano also shared that they were not consulted by the NTC before the drafting and release of the memo.
“Our position should have been heard before the issuance of this order on block time. Nonetheless [we] will present our opposition and our position in the NTC hearing [which] was reportedly scheduled on July 11,” he added.
NTC’s memo came at the heels of growing talks about the possible merger of ABS-CBN and TV5.
Currently, ABS-CBN has block time agreements with ZOE Broadcasting’s A2Z Channel and TV5 which carries ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol newscast and primetime teleseryes and the Sunday noontime variety show ASAP.
