It seemed top ABS-CBN programs TV Patrol and FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano will soon be watched by many viewers again.
In a report by Bilyonaryo.com.ph, ABS-CBN’s flagship news program TV Patrol and its longest-running primetime action-drama teleserye will soon be back on free TV via ZOE TV’s Channel 11.
According to the report, ZOE TV’s head Bro. Eddie Villanueva and the ABS-CBN management have already agreed to a block time agreement.
Earlier reports said, the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN initially offered to buy ZOE’s TV franchise, Villanueva however rejected the buyout.
Meanwhile, aside from TV Patrol and FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, ASAP Natin’To and It’s Showtime were also reported to be part of the block time agreement.
In an article by Pep.ph, it also reported that a blocktime agreement between ABS-CBN and ZOE TV was already a done deal. It said that some of the first shows to be shown on ZOE TV are the Kapamilya afternoon variety shows It’s Showtime and ASAP Natin’To.
According to the article, the tentative launch of the blocktime set-up will be on September 28.
ABS-CBN has been struggling with its revenue after its shutdown on May 5 after being served the NTC’s cease and desist order.
They were able to continue its broadcast via the digital channels owned by AMCARA Broadcasting with whom ABS-CBN has a long-standing blocktime agreement.
However, during the congressional hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise, congressmen opposed to ABS-CBN found a loophole in the blocktime agreement between the Kapamilya network and AMCARA which resulted in the shutting down also Kapamilya channels on TV Plus.
With that ABS-CBN had no choice but to migrate to cable TV via the Kapamilya Channel and on its digital platform Kapamilya Online Live.
Cable and online reach, however, is not enough compared to free TV, that’s why this blocktime agreement if ever it really happened will be a big help for ABS-CBN to crawl back to its former position in the media industry.
Meanwhile, ZOE TV is not new to blocktiming agreements.
It used to have long-time blocktime deal with GMA Network from 2005 to 2019 where it aired GMA News TV on its Channel 11.
