ABS–CBN Corporation

ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation
Type Public (PSE: ABS)
Industry Broadcast television and radio network, among others
Founded June 14, 1946
Founder(s) James Lindenberg (of Bolinao Electronics Corporation)
Headquarters Quezon City, Philippines
Key people Eugenio Lopez III, Chairman and CEO
Charo Santos-Concio, President and COO
Products ABS-CBN brands and products
ABS-CBN Publishing
Studio 23
MYX Philippines
Revenue PHP24.8 billion (increase 7% (YoY)(2008)[1]
Net income PHP1.71 billion (increase 9% (YoY)(2009)
Employees 7,000+ (as of 2008)
Website ABS-CBN.com

ABS–CBN Corporation (PSE: ABS and ABSP; ABS-CBN: "Alto Broadcasting System-Chronicle Broadcasting Network") is a Philippine-based multi-media conglomerate. It is the country's first and largest integrated media and entertainment company[2] with 42 subsidiaries, 12 divisions and an asset base on more than PHP34 billion (US$707.09 million) as of March 2009.[3] ABS-CBN is principally involved in television and radio broadcasting, as well as the production of television programming for domestic and international audiences and other related businesses.[4][5] It was founded on June 13, 1946 (62), becoming Asia's first commercial television broadcaster in 1953. It is part of the Lopez Group of Companies. It also broadcasts content to the rest of the world through The Filipino Channel (via cable), TFC Direct (direct-to-home satellite), TFCko (IPTV video on demand) and TFCnow internet TV. And just recently, Sky Broadband and Bayan Telecommunication launched "i Wantv!", a free internet service created to answer the growing demand of television entertainment. It incorporates some of ABS-CBN's top rating shows.[6]

The network's main broadcast facilities, news headquarters, transmitter and satellite operations and studio complex are located at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Complex at Sgt. Esguerra Ave., Mother Ignacia St., Barangay Laging Handa, Diliman, Quezon City. In Metro Manila, its terrestrial VHF station is Channel 2 (DWWX-TV) while its terrestrial UHF station is Studio 23 (DWAC-TV). It boasts its technical capabilities as well as its advance and sophisticated facilities that no other media company in Southeast Asia has to offer.

On March 3, 2008, Executive Vice-President Charo Santos-Concio had been promoted as the fifth president of ABS-CBN, taking over from interim president Eugenio Lopez III.[7]

On the recent ABS-CBN Stockholders Meeting last May 27, 2010, the multimedia conglomerate changed its name after dropping "Broadcasting" in its corporate name, a response to the changes in the media landscape brought about by technology, said ABS-CBN chairman and chief executive officer Eugenio “EL3” Lopez III. “The media business has gone beyond merely broadcasting to encompass other platforms,” EL3 said. ABS-CBN has interests in radio, free-to-air and cable television, movie production, publishing, and online news and content distribution service.[8]

Contents

History

Beginnings

The nucleus of what ABS-CBN would be began in 1946 with Bolinao Electronics Corporation (BEC). BEC was put up by James Lindenberg, the father of Philippine television[9], an ex-GI and electronics engineer who went into radio equipment assembly and radio broadcasting. At that time, the giant Philippine network was Manila Broadcasting, with DZRH as the top station. In 1949, James Lindenberg shifted Bolinao to radio broadcasting with DZBC and masterminded the introduction of television to the country in 1953.

In 1951, Lindenberg partnered with Antonio Quirino, brother of then President Elpidio Quirino, in order to try their hand at television broadcasting. In 1952, BEC was renamed as Alto Broadcasting System or ABS. "Alto" was a contraction of Quirino’s and his wife’s first names, Tony and Aleli. Though they had little money and resources, ABS was able to put up its TV tower by July 1953 and import 300 television sets. The initial test broadcasts began on September of the same year. The very first full-blown broadcast, however, was on October 23, 1953, of a party in Tony Quirino's home. The broadcasting channel was known as DZAQ-TV Channel 3.

Merger

ABS-CBN logo (1967-1972).

In turn, on September 24, 1956, the Chronicle Broadcasting Network (CBN) was organized. The network was owned by Don Eugenio Lopez Sr. The following year, Don Eugenio acquired ABS from Quirino and Lindenberg. However, it was only on February 1, 1967 that the corporate name was changed to ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation (before it was named ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, the name was reverted back to the precursor of the network, Bolinao Electronics Corporation or BEC).

In the late 1950s, Don Eugenio's son, Geny Lopez saw the potential of TV to reach and link Filipinos across the archipelago. By the mid-1960s, the ABS network was leading the radio industry, with stations like DZXL and DZAQ Radyo patrol, which featured journalists like Ernie Baron, Bong Lapira, Orly Mercado, Joe Taruc, Mario Garcia, Bobby Guanzon, and Rey Langit. ABS also made breakthroughs in the TV industry by achieving the country's first color TV broadcast, first satellite feed, and first use of videotape, among others. It featured top shows then, such as Your Evening with Pilita and Tawag ng Tanghalan, the country's first comedy show Buhay Artista, first Philippine gameshow, What's My Living and the first noontime show Student Canteen, among others.

On June 14, 1961, Eugenio Lopez, Jr. built the first provincial TV station in Cebu airing 4 hours with the tallest tower (in that time) in Cebu measuring 216 feet.

On December 18, 1968, ABS-CBN opened its new Broadcast Center on Bohol Avenue, Quezon City, where it still stands today. At the time, it was the most advanced facility of its kind in Asia. The station again made breakthroughs by using live satellite transmissions from abroad, foremost of which was the first moon landing in 1969. The network enjoyed a big portion of the ratings.

Martial Law era

The station suffered a setback, though, upon the declaration of Martial Law. On midnight of September 22, 1972, a day after the declaration of Martial Law, ABS-CBN and its affiliate stations were seized. Geny Lopez, the president of the network, was imprisoned and held without trial for five years until he and his cellmate Sergio Osmeña III launched a daring jailbreak in 1977 and sought asylum in the United States. The network itself was taken over by Roberto Benedicto, a presidential crony, who used the Broadcasting Center at Bohol Avenue, then renamed as "Broadcast Plaza", as the home of MBS-4.

Capture of Broadcast Plaza (MBS-4)

At the height of the People Power Revolution, military reformists, believing that television would be a powerful tool to aid the revolution, attacked and took over the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center. On February 24, former ABS-CBN talents put the station back on the air and televised the drama of the unfolding uprising, thereby contributing to the strength of the revolt.

Growth

Original ABS-CBN logo (1986-2000).

On February 28, 1986, after the Marcos regime was brought to its end by the revolution, Geny Lopez returned to the country after his self exile to the United States and started rebuilding what was left of the station. Recovery was difficult and resources were low. Hence, former ABS-CBN employee Freddy García was brought in to rework the station's programming. By 1988, ABS-CBN had regained its foothold in Philippine TV ratings.

In 1987, ABS-CBN also beefed up their news programs with TV Patrol, anchored by a team of announcers led by former Vice-President Noli de Castro. (Its original lead anchors included de Castro, Mel Tiangco, Frankie Evangelista, and Angelique Lazo, with the late Ernie Baron telling the daily weather newscast.) Other reputable news programs followed, such as Magandang Gabi, Bayan and Hoy Gising! and top-rating talk shows like Mel & Jay and Teysi ng Tahanan. The entertainment programs of ABS-CBN were also beefed up with a mix of programs that aired previously on RPN-9 and IBC-13 (Eat Bulaga!, Okey Ka Fairy Ko!, The Sharon Cuneta Show, Coney Reyes on Camera) while producing homegrown shows through the years that made an impact on Filipino viewers (The Maricel Soriano Drama Special, Palibhasa Lalake, Home Along Da Riles, etc.)

In 1989, ABS-CBN shifted to satellite broadcast, enabling the entire country to watch the same programs simultaneously. Slowly, the station inched its way to financial recovery, which it achieved by 1990. It regularly garnered around 70% of the market.

According to their website, they reach 97% of all households in the country and provide content for Studio 23 on UHF and for the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Hero, MYX, Knowledge Channel, Lifestyle Network, Cinema One, Balls, Velvet, and Maxxx on cable.

Expansion

Aside from its flagship terrestrial network ABS-CBN 2 Manila, ABS-CBN broadcasts to many predominantly Filipino people in the Middle East, United States, Europe, Australia and several other countries via The Filipino Channel or TFC. The network has also diversified into film (Star Cinema - ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc.), music recording (Star Records), publishing (ABS-CBN Publishing), and interactive media (ABS-CBN Interactive). In August 2008 it inked a deal with Sorenson Pacific Broadcasting to broadcast news and other content from the network and its sister channels to its television and radio broadcasting properties in Guam and The CMNI. Former ABS-CBN president Eugenio Lopez III became chairman of the network since 1996.

The network has also introduced its second terrestrial channel, Studio 23 (UHF band) in 1996, as well as cable channels MYX (a music channel), ABS-CBN News Channel (a cable news channel), CinemaOne Global/Cinema One (a cable movie channel), the Lifestyle Network (home and lifestyle channel), Pinoy Central TV (regionally produced shows. This channel was replaced by Kapamilya Channel), Hero (the country's first Tagalog-dubbed anime channel, ANIMAX's only known competitor in Southeast Asia), DZMM TeleRadyo (the country's first interactive TV on Radio) and Knowledge Channel (all educational channel). Recently in the first quarter of 2008 three additional cable channels namely Balls (Sports Channel), Velvet (women's Channel) and Maxxx (all men focus channel). The network's radio stations include DZMM 630 kHz (AM-Manila), DWRR 101.9 (FM-Manila), and My Only Radio regional FM stations.

ABS-CBN has established regional stations and news bureaus to handle operations in different areas throughout the Philippines. It also broadcasts to locations all over the world via The Filipino Channel, managed by ABS-CBN International. Shows are also available for live viewing and subscription via the Internet through ABS-CBN Interactive's TFCNow! service.

ABS-CBN affirms its social responsibility in its slogan, "In the Service of the Filipino", and through the work of ABS-CBN Foundation. Through multimedia, the foundation has delivered E-TV (Educational Television) VCDs to hundreds of public schools in the country that benefitted students. The foundation is also the umbrella organization of such foundations such as the Knowledge Channel (KCh) Foundation, Bantay Bata (Children's Watch), Bantay Kalikasan (Environment Watch), and ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation (formerly, ABS-CBN Bayan MicroFinance). Geny Lopez died in 1999 due to cancer.

The Kapamilya network

In 2003, during the television station's 50th anniversary, ABS-CBN launched its present slogan, "Kapamilya" (literally means "a member of the family").

Its international unit ABS-CBN Global Ltd. plans to undertake an initial public offering (IPO) the following year and might list on the Singapore Stock Exchange to help finance its expansion plans.[10]

The network celebrated its golden anniversary in 2003. The network held its Kapamilya Homecoming, which gathered over 4,000 former employees and talents for a grand reunion at ABS-CBN’s compound in Bohol Avenue, Quezon City. The network also launched a promo called "Treasure Hunt", where the people were invited to bring their oldest television, radio sets, microphones, and posters. The network also celebrated its 16th year reign in the TV ratings, with 13 of their shows included in the Top 15 daily programs in TV. ABS-CBN also launched new shows such as the then phenomenal Meteor Garden etc. The company also did a nationwide caravan, showcasing the network's talents.

On October 2003, the network held a month-long celebration of ABS-CBN and Philippine TV's 50th year.[11] The station produced two commemorative documentaries about the station's contribution in news and entertainment. Sa Mata ng Balita encapsulated some of the most unforgettable, most remarkable, and most celebrated landmarks of the last 50 years as captured by television news. 50 Taong Ligawan: The Pinoy TV History, on the other hand, was the first extensive television documentary done about the history of Philippine Television and the evolution of Philippine entertainment. For the celebration's finale, the broadcasting giant capped its 50th anniversary with a spectacular extravaganza dubbed as Kapamilya: ABS-CBN at 50,[12] held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. It was hailed as one of the biggest media events of the year. The Lopez-led network rolled out the red carpet to welcome its high-profile guests from the business, advertising and media sectors, politics, members of the diplomatic community, with many of the society’s luminaries and glitterati. Valued friends and supporters of the network throughout the five decades also attended the grand affair. The network's official 50 Years station id won an Award for Excellence in the 2004 Golden Quill Festival.

On November 7, 2006, ABS-CBN unveiled its flagship coffeetable book, "Kapitan: Geny Lopez and the Making of ABS-CBN." The 453-page book chronicles the hardships and odds that the network founder had to face, as well as the achievements and contributions of ABS-CBN in Philippine Television history.[13][14] The book won various awards, including Best Biography/Autobiography in the 26th National Book Awards,[15] and a merit award in the publications category of the 2007 Gold Quill Awards.[16]

On September 29, 2007, ABS-CBN acquired the exclusive rights to the whole movie library of the late Fernando Poe, Jr., after Susan Roces signed the contract. ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio Lopez III, Cory Vidanes, Senior Vice President of TVP Production (currently the Channel 2 Head), and Poe’s daughter Grace Poe-Llamanzares were present.[17]

ABS-CBN 55 years

In 2008, ABS-CBN celebrated their 55th year in television. For the first time in Philippine TV History, ABS-CBN started the year by launching three primetime shows namely Lobo, Palos and Kung Fu Kids last January 28, 2008. ABS-CBN also launched Walang Iwanan sa BayaniJuan in June 12, 2008 incoincedence with the celebration of 110th Philippine Independence.

On April 26, 2009, ABS-CBN is the only media organization to be cited as one of the country's top 15 listed companies in corporate governance, as shown by an annual survey of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD).[18] It is the only media company to garner a score of 90 percent or higher in the 2008 Corporate Governance Scorecard, a survey of corporate governance practices among 172 publicly-listed companies in the country.[18]

Programming

Branding of ABS-CBN

The ABS-CBN logo features three main elements, the vertical line rooted on a horizontal origin, the three extending circles, and the text ABS-CBN. The vertical line or bar represents a tower (broadcasting tower), with the circles symbolizing its signals representing the red, green and blue or RGB colors which makes up a pixel shown on the television. The 3 divisions of the Philippines is also denoted by the three circles.

ABS-CBN was once used the logo with ABS on top and CBN on the bottom, meaning the broadcasting corporationis owned by two different families, the Quirino-owned ABS and the Lopez-owned CBN. Three circles, from the past years having no color variety, represent the three main islands of the Philippines, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. While the vertical bar represent the ABS-CBN TV tower. The whole logo is boxed, meaning ABS-CBN connects all the islands of the country with one family.

Then, the latter years, ABS-CBN launched The Filipino Channel, making the ABS-CBN logo unboxed, and represented as ABS-CBN is not only for the Filipinos inside, but also outside of the country. Merging the two stations, ABS and CBN, with one owner, the Lopez family, the ABS-CBN logo now uses "ABS-CBN", instead of having ABS and CBN, in one variation, situated on the bottom of the logo.

Sarimanok

The Sarimanok, a legendary bird in Philippine Folklore was first used in 1966 to identify color broadcasts (somewhat similar on how the NBC peacock has been utilized). In 1993, which happens to be the Chinese Year of the Rooster, ABS-CBN relaunched the Sarimanok with a new station ID featuring the legendary bird. The Sarimanok ID became utmostly associated with the channel that ABS-CBN opted it to become the station's mascot. Incidentally, ABS-CBN named its new 24-hour news channel the Sarimanok News Network, the precursor of the ABS-CBN News Channel.

The evolution of ABS-CBN logos

In the Year 2000, ABS-CBN had changed its corporate logo. The previous logo, which featured stylized letters and a square with three concentric circles and a line gave way to the present logo's styling. The three circles with colors, red, green, blue with the vertical line at the center still remain, although the logotype has changed and the square is no longer used in some uses of the logo.

Slogans

Program production

ABS-CBN Broadcast Center

ABS-CBN Broadcast Center (or ABS-CBN Broadcasting Complex) is located on Seargent Esguerra corner Mother Ignacia Avenues, Barangay Laging Handa, Diliman, Quezon City. Situated on 14"38' N and 121"02' E and built in 1968. The complex contains Studio 1, now known as the Dolphy Theater, which is one of the oldest studios of ABS-CBN. Studio 2, also one of the oldest, is one of the two permanent set-up studios of ABS-CBN, where the show Showtime is currently taping. Studio 3, another permanent studio set-up, is the home of the worldwide noontime variety show Wowowee. The next studios, from Studio 4 up to 12 are temporary studio set-ups, where the props are dismantled after the show. Studio 10 is home of Sunday entertainment variety show, ASAP XV and Rated K and Studio 8 is the home of showbiz entertainment talkshows like SNN, The Buzz and Entertainment Live.

Also inside the ABS-CBN complex is the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Communications Center, a building named after the ABS-CBN tycoon, Eugenio Lopez, Jr. The building opened in 2000 and the 17 floors house ABS-CBN's affiliates and divisions, including Publishing, Licensing, Star Cinema, Star Records and many more, executive offices is also located at the building.

ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs

After the 1986 EDSA Revolution, the network was first to air a newscast and current affairs show, namely TV Patrol and Probe. The network's news organization suffered from credibility issues, including its alleged partiality in various political issues and the involvement of its former news anchors and network chairman in the political arena. Based on the latest Pulse Asia Survey, ABS-CBN News was the most trusted news station garnering 68 points against its rival network GMA Network, garnering 60 points.

At present, the news organization is headed by former CNN Jakarta and Manila Bureau Chief Maria Ressa. Ressa introduced major organizational changes and reforms, including the drafting of Code of Ethics that is very much benchmarked on international standards. The new Code of Ethics served as the Bible of all the members of the news organization.

ABS-CBN also owns the ABS-CBN News Channel, the only Filipino 24-hour cable news channel in the Philippines.

ABS-CBN Regional Network Group

The ABS-CBN Regional Network Group is the provincial network of ABS-CBN. It is responsible for simultaneously airing most of the shows seen on ABS-CBN's flagship station in the provinces. The ABS-CBN Regional Network Group has several stations in each region outside Mega Manila to ensure nationwide coverage. The local stations also produce their own newscasts which air prior to TV Patrol and other local programming which air on Sundays. ABS-CBN Regional Network Group (RNG) glorified its roots while reaching out wider audience in 2007, consistently building on local content and developing infrastructure to deliver better service and cement its position as the top-rating regional network in the country. RNG's journey of innovation reached Filipinos through the network's 43 TV and 16 radio stations, and even went the extra mile to cross the oceans and touch OFW's everywhere. Regional versions of favorite TV shows were created, enabling ABS-CBN to reach out and connect with wider audiences worldwide. The launch of the local game show Kapamilya Winner Ka! in Visayas and Mindanao. Gandang Umaga, Pilipinas in Northern Luzon, and the 17th local TV Patrol in Southern Tagalog (Region IV-A & IV-B), provided more relevance to regional audiences.

Competition

On January 22, 2006, ABS-CBN's broadcast of Solar Sports' "Hataw Pacquiao, Laban ng Bayan" became the 3rd most watched TV event in Philippine history[19] as AGB Nielsen Media Research showed that 2.073 million households (5.261 million individuals) watched the Pacquiao-Morales rematch compared to "Rosalinda"'s 1.486 million households (3.787 million individuals) of its July 13, 2000 episode (Rosalinda is a Mexican telenovela purchased by ABS-CBN). It also registered the highest audience share of 79.5% against Rosalinda's 78.3%. However, Rosalinda remains as the highest rated TV show in Philippine TV history, with 68.9% compared to the 59.2% of the said rematch. The Pacquiao-Larios match on the other hand, which was held last July 2, 2006 at Araneta Coliseum, registered the second biggest number of viewers of a TV event[20] in Philippine history, having a rating of 65.7% in Mega-Manila and the highest audience share of 96 to 99% at the Urban Centers nationwide.

In a survey conducted by the AGB Nielsen Media Research from October 8 to October 13 using its National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) for the first time showed that ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation garnered a 43% viewership, putting it ahead of GMA Network, Inc. which got a share of 35.2%.[21] The NUTAM was officially launched last October 16, 2006 to determine the TV ratings and audience share of local TV Programs from the different urban areas in the Philippines.

In the last quarter of 2006, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. led the nationwide television viewership share against rival GMA Network Inc., according to AGB Nielsen Media Research (Philippines) nationwide survey released October 26, 2006.[22]

In the January 15, 2007 issue of BusinessWorld, a local broadsheet containing Business reports, AGB-Nielsen Media Research, the official ratings provider, released for the first time the official results of its Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM).[23] The Nationwide Viewing Panel results for the week ending January 6, 2007, showed that in terms of individuals, 8 out of top 10 programs came from ABS-CBN with the Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal P4M Edition as the top-rater. In terms of households, all top 10 programs came from ABS-CBN with Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal P4M Edition also as the top-rater. ABS-CBN posted a channel rating of 12.2 and an audience share of 43.1 in terms of households, and a channel rating of 5.9 and an audience share of 42.7 in terms of individuals. GMA Network on the other hand posted a channel rating of 10.2 and an audience share of 36.9 in terms of households, and a channel rating of 5.3 and an audience share of 38.7 in terms of individuals.

In the last quarter of 2007, ABS-CBN topped the Nielsen Media Research Philippines survey among three market segments. It emerged as the preferred channel among affluent Filipinos, teenage audiences and families of Overseas Filipino workers. Nielsen defined the affluent as those living in posh, “gated villages” with income higher than ₱50,000 a month, while the teens are those in the 13-19 age bracket regardless of economic bracket. OFW beneficiaries, meanwhile, are those with a member of the family working abroad. In data presented by the said research and survey group, ABS-CBN registered a 79.4 percent grade to emerge as the top local channel most often watched by viewers who belong to the A, B and C1 market segment. The Kapamilya network was followed by GMA with 64.1 percent, while ABS-CBN's sister station, Studio 23, came next with 25.3 percent. The teens TV viewership category was also ruled by ABS-CBN with its 62.11 percent clip compared to GMA's 38.6 percent. It also collected the most viewership in the OFW families segment, registering a strong 64.0 percent as compared to GMA-7's 49.9 percent showing.[24]

In 2007, according to AGB Nielsen, ABS-CBN lead the very first overall year end nationwide television ratings (NUTAM). Capturing 60% in urban Visayas and 66% in urban Mindanao while it trailed two points against GMA in urban Luzon with 40%. The top three overall highest rated programs in 2007 are all ABS-CBN shows. However, ABS-CBN no longer subscribes to AGB Nielsen due to ratings manipulation allegations.

In the first quarter of 2009, Data from TNS Media Research nationwide ratings and audience shares for the Feb 1-May 2 period showed that ABS-CBN has built its nationwide leadership to a whopping 44 percent audience share or an increase of 22 percent over its perennial rival.[25]

Based on the TNS report from May 1 to 31, seven out of the top 10 weekday programs, and eight of the top 10 weekend programs nationwide were from ABS-CBN.[26] All Top 5 Primetime shows are from the Kapamilya Network namely May Bukas Pa, Only You, Tayong Dalawa, TV Patrol World, and koreanovela Boys Over Flowers. This result a record-breaking revenue of close to P1.4 Billion for the month of May.[27]

Digital television

ABS-CBN applied for a digital television-terrestrial service (DTT) license to the National Telecommunications Commission.[28] Digital Television in the Philippines will utilize the DVB-T standard utilized in most of Europe. The Dutch company Impeq Technologies is one of ABS-CBN's consultants in the digital transition. The network is planning to also supply DTV boxes in areas where signal reception of Channel 2 is weak. Areas such as Valenzuela, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna are the potential market for the DTV set-top boxes. The Metro Manila market will receive DWWX-TV and DWAC-TV and the company's six other cable channels on the digital platform. The National Telecommunications Commission will be giving television broadcast companies until December 31, 2015, to fully convert from analog to digital technology, in line with the worldwide shift towards the use of DTT in broadcasting.[29]

The network is expected to spend ₱1 billion a year for Digital TV in the next five years to cover a big part of the country.[30]

The company is slated to begin broadcasting digital television starting in January 2008,[28][31] although it has been presumably delayed since there were no announcement during the entire month of January that the signal is now digitized. It is now expected to begin its digital broadcasting by 2010.[32]

The National Telecommunications Commission chose Japanese DTV standard ISDB-T as the Philippines' digital TV broadcasting standard last June 11, 2010.[33][34] ABS-CBN will be using UHF Channel 35 (596-602 MHz)[35] for the ISDB-T, previously UHF Channel 51 (692-698 MHz) from their DVB-T testing. At this point in time, ABS-CBN is currently testing their Multiple SD DTV setup via muliplexing, bringing ABS-CBN, Studio 23 and ANC in one bandwidth. Maybe two to three years, ABS-CBN will be shifting into free-to-air HD DTV setup.

SD to HD

In April 19, 2009, ABS-CBN announced its intention to acquire 24 Sony HDC-1400R HD portable studio cameras which cost a total of $1.56 million[36]. ABS-CBN is upgrading its studio facility at Quezon City, north of Manila, from SD to HD. The decision to upgrade to high definition was based on the increasing demand for high definition content from their domestic audiences and those that they export to around the globe.

ABS-CBN Sports produced the first nationally-produced true high definition program, which was the UAAP season 72 a test broadcast of Filipino collegiate basketball games on the network's Balls HD (SkyCable Channel 166) channel. It, along with the NCAA games can be seen on SkyCable HD. This marked the first live HD broadcast of a locally produced program in Philippine television history.

Controversies and scandals

In recent years, ABS-CBN has been involved in several controversies and scandals involving its subsidiaries and programming.

Wowowee scandals and incidents

Two major incidents involving ABS-CBN have involved the networks' variety show Wowowee. Demand for tickets to a one-year anniversary episode of the show at the PhilSports Arena in 2006 caused a deadly stampede killing 76 people.[37] Over a year later in August 2007, the show became entrenched in another scandal involving the possibility of a new game on the show being rigged as evident by a "mechanical glitch" which occurred during an episode[38], which grew greater after Eat Bulaga! host Joey de Leon and Wowowee host Willie Revillame started exchanging attacks on-air against each other during their respective and competing shows.[39] The incident later lead to a probe by the Department of Trade and Industry lead by senator Mar Roxas (which was jokingly suggested by Joey during a speech he made on Eat Bulaga! in reference to the Hello Garci scandal, dubbing it "Hello Pappy")[40]

Nielsen bribery scandal

In late 2007, ABS-CBN accused GMA Network of bribing AGB Nielsen Philippines during their 2007 ratings surveys.[41][42]

Writ of Amparo

On January 22, 2008, Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) supported the petition for Writ of amparo filed by the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation's 11 employees (led by Ces Oreña-Drilon) with the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of journalists' arrests concerning the failed Manila Peninsula rebellion. It stated: "We support employees from ABS-CBN in standing up for their democratic rights to work free from harassment and intimidation, especially from government officials and authorities." Meanwhile the Supreme Court required the respondents to file comment to the amparo petition within 10 days. Further, Harry Roque, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)'s lawyer announced its filing of a class lawsuit for injunction with damages (Article 33, New Civil Code of the Philippines) against the Philippine National Police, inter alia.[43]

Showtime Controversy

On January 7, 2010, controversy erupted on ABS-CBN's recently-launched variety show Showtime when actress Rosanna Roces, who was a judge for the show made some remarks about the show's teachers and a co-judge. She encouraged students to ask questions from the teachers as she branded these teachers as "repeaters" who just taught what was taught to them when they were just students and not teaching what the students wanted to know. As a result, ABS-CBN decided to remove Roces as a judge from the show. Despite this move by the network, the MTRCB ordered the show suspended for 20 days. The Teachers' Dignity Coalition, while saddened by the suspension of the show commended the MTRCB's swift action on the matter.[44][45]

Entities and ventures

List of subsidiaries

Affiliates and productions

Divisions

See also

References

  1. ↑ Charles Gamo, Head of Investor Relations (31 December 2008). "ABS-CBN 2009 Net Income Hits P1.71 billion," (PDF). ABS-CBN IR. http://www.pse.com.ph/html/ListedCompanies/pdf/2009/BPC_17A_Dec2008.pdf. Retrieved 2008-18-21. 
  2. ↑ http://www.dalet.com/Dalet-Inks-1-2-Million-Dollar
  3. ↑ [1]
  4. ↑ Philippine Stock Exchange official website
  5. ↑ ABS-CBN Corporate website
  6. ↑ http://www.iwanttv.com.ph/
  7. ↑ GMA NEWS.TV, Former actress Charo Santos-Concio is new ABS-CBN president
  8. ↑ [2]
  9. ↑ http://www.abs-cbn.com/headlines/Article/3285/Farewell-to-the-Father-of-Philippine-Television.aspx
  10. ↑ Charo Logata. "ABS-CBN confirms IPO for Global". ABS-CBN Interactive. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=63141. Retrieved April 7, 2007. 
  11. ↑ ABS-CBN 50th Anniversary website
  12. ↑ Sol Jose Vanzi (November 1 2003). "ABS-CBN'S 50th Year Celebrates Philippine Television". The Philippine Star. http://www.newsflash.org/2003/05/be/be002608.htm. Retrieved April 7, 2007. 
  13. ↑ Bong Austero (2007-11-20). "A network’s saga". Manila Standard Today. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=bongAustero_nov20_2006. Retrieved 2007. 
  14. ↑ Butch Del Castillo (2007-09-05). "Geny Lopez and his values". Business Mirror. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=86057. Retrieved 2007. 
  15. ↑ "Inquirer columnists win National Book Awards". Philippine Daily Inquirer. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=86057. Retrieved 2007. 
  16. ↑ "ABS-CBN wins 6 Gold Quill awards". ABS-CBN News. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=99180. Retrieved 2007. 
  17. ↑ Abs-Cbn Interactive, ABS-CBN acquires right to 'Da King's' movie library
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/04/27/09/abs-cbn-beats-media-firms-corporate-governance-survey
  19. ↑ "Pacquiao-Morales rematch ‘most watched TV event in RP’". INQ7.net. January 24 2006. http://beta.inq7.net/sports/index.php?index=1&story_id=63931. Retrieved April 7, 2007. 
  20. ↑ *Bayani San Diego, Jr. (August 8 2006). "Mounting a multimillion-dollar sports event". Philippine Daily Inquirer. http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=13978. Retrieved April 7, 2007. 
  21. ↑ "ABS-CBN leads GMA 7 in viewership share". The Manila Times. 2007-10-26. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/oct/27/yehey/business/20061027bus7.html. Retrieved 2007. 
  22. ↑ *Bayani San Diego, Jr. (August 8 2006). "Mounting a multimillion-dollar sports event". The Manila Times. http://72.14.235.104/search?q=cache:uwjNWjjBiswJ:www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/oct/27/yehey/business/20061027bus7.html+ABS-CBN+GMA+7+AGB+Nielsen&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3. Retrieved April 7, 2007. 
  23. ↑ "Nationwide Viewing Panel". Business World. 2007-01-15. 
  24. ↑ ABS-CBN tops Nielsen syrvey among three market segments
  25. ↑ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=471870&publicationSubCategoryId=66
  26. ↑ http://www.bworldonline.com/BW060909/content.php?id=162
  27. ↑ http://www.abs-cbn.com/Feature/Article/3653/Gabby-Lopez-and-Charo-Santos-Concio-throw-a-pa-burger-party.aspx
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 ABS-CBN to launch digital TV - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
  29. ↑ Galicia, Loui (September 2007). "ABS-CBN continues preparation for digital TV". ABS-CBNNews.com. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=92374. Retrieved 2007-09-22. 
  30. ↑ http://ir.abs-cbn.com/ir/shareholderfaqs.aspx
  31. ↑ ABS-CBN Interactive
  32. ↑ http://www.miraclescreenings.com/25/vas02.htm
  33. ↑ http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20100611-275093/NTC-chooses-Japan-digital-TV-standard-for-RP
  34. ↑ http://www.kbp.org.ph/kbp-recommends-isdb-t-as-digital-tv-standard-for-philippines#more-1213
  35. ↑ http://www.electronicslab.ph/forum/index.php?topic=16093.20
  36. ↑ http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-HDC1400R/
  37. ↑ "73 dead in stampede at Philippine game show". ABC News (Australia). 4 February 2006. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1562423.htm. 
  38. ↑ "ABS-CBN: No cheating in Wowowee's 'Wilyonaryo'". GMA News and Current Affairs. August 30, 2007. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/58327/ABS-CBN-No-cheating-in-Wowowees-Wilyonaryo. Retrieved 2009-04-10. 
  39. ↑ "Joey tells Willie: Explain before you Complain". GMA News and Public Affairs. August 30, 2007. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/58382/Joey-tells-Willie-Explain-before-you-complain. Retrieved 2009-04-11. 
  40. ↑ "Roxas seeks probe on 'Hello, Pappy' game show 'scam'". GMA News and Current Affairs. 30 August 2007. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/58395/Roxas-seeks-probe-on-Hello-Pappy-game-show-scam. Retrieved 2007-11-03. 
  41. ↑ "GMA 7 tagged in scandal". manilatimes.net. 2007-12-20. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/dec/20/yehey/top_stories/20071220top1.html. 
  42. ↑ ABS-CBN Interactive, Court issues TRO on AGB Nielsen ratings surveys
  43. ↑ Abs-Cbn Interactive, IFJ gives support to ABS-CBN employees amparo petition
  44. ↑ MTRCB suspends 'Showtime' over Osang's remarks. ABS-CBN News Online Beta. 2010-01-11. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/01/11/10/mtrcb-suspends-showtime-over-osangs-remarks
  45. ↑ SHOWTIME Sinuspende si Osang Dahil "Teachers Are Just Repeaters? YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTijv8oZ6OI

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References

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