Balls (TV channel)
Balls is a Filipino sports television network owned by Creative Programs, Inc., a subsidiary of ABS-CBN. It is managed by the sports division of ABS-CBN Corporation, ABS-CBN Sports. The channel operates non-stop 24/7.
History
ABS-CBN, a Filipino media organization, owns SkyCable, a cable television service which serves much of the country. In 2007, the company had a dispute with Solar Entertainment over broadcast contracts with Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao which lead to the removal of their channels from the service, such as Basketball TV (which is currently the official broadcaster of the Philippine Basketball League, which was formally shown on the ABS-CBN owned Studio 23 network, along with other major basketball leagues).
The Solar Entertainment channels were removed from SkyCable on January 1, 2008. In place of the displaced channels, SkyCable launched several new channels in their place. Along with Velvet and Maxxx, Balls was launched on SkyCable channel 34 on January 1, 2008. Although Balls was intended to replace it, Basketball TV was restored onto the SkyCable lineup in time for the 2008–09 NBA season in October 2008.
From its inception, Balls' programming featured all foreign sports coverage. However, beginning in June 2009, they also began broadcasting local sports programming through ABS-CBN Sports, beginning with NCAA Season 85 and UAAP Season 72, which were produced through subsidiary channel Balls HD (the first locally produced programs in high definition) and were replayed later in the night on Balls.
Programming
As suggested by its name, Balls primarily airs programs and sporting events related to ball sports such as football, basketball, tennis, and volleyball. The network also airs watersports, badminton, and live free Pay-Per-View boxing and Pay-Per-View UFC fights.
2010 Programming Highlights
- Euro-PGA Tour (golf)
- French Open 2010 (tennis)
- US Open 2010 (tennis)
- 2010 PGA Championship (golf)
- 2010 Ryder Cup (golf)
- 2010 FIFA World Cup (football)
- Balls Beach Soccer in April
- Father’s Day Golf Festival in June
- UFC 2010 Manila Media Tour
2011 Programing Highlights
Other Programs
Balls HD
On July 13, 2009, SkyCable officially launched Balls HD. The first Cable HD service in the Philippines
See also
External links
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Chairman/CEO: Eugenio Lopez III · Vice Chairman: Augusto Almeda Lopez · Founder: James Lindenberg · President/COO: Charo Santos-Concio · Chief Finance Officer: Rolando P. Valdueza · Head of ABS-CBN Corporate Marketing: Rosario S. Bartolome · Manila Radio Division Head/Concurrent Managing Director of ABS-CBN Sports: Peter Musngi · Head of Channel 2 Sales: Jose Agustin C. Benitez · Managing Director, ABS-CBN Mega Manila: Maria Socorro V. Vidanes · Head of ABS-CBN TV Production: Florida Tan · Head of Regional Network Group: Louis Benedict O. Bennett · Head of Creative Communication Management: Roberto G. Labayen · COO of ABS-CBN Global Ltd.: Rafael L. Lopez · Managing Director of ABS-CBN Interactive: Consuelo Nolasco Lopez · Head of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs: Ging Reyes · Head of Customer Relationship Management: Esperanza M. Bulaong · Managing Director of SkyCable: Carlo L. Katigbak · Managing Director of Star Cinema and Star Records: Malou Santos · Head of Special Projects & Licensing: Leonardo P. Katigbak · Managing Director of Cable Channels and Print Media Group/Studio 23: Antonio Ventosa
Board Members: Augusto Almeda Lopez · Oscar M. Lopez · Presentacion L. Psinakis · Federico M. Garcia · Manuel Lopez · Federico Lopez · Pedro Dy-Liaco · Jose Vitug · Salvador Tirona · Reno Rayel · Rondel P. Lindayag · Roldeo T. Endrinal · Ginny Monteagudo-Ocampo · Henry King Quitain · Raymund G. Dizon
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| Subsidiaries |
ABS-CBN Center for Communication Arts, Inc. · ABS-CBN Distance Learning Center · ABS-CBN Easy Remit · ABS-CBN Global Cargo · ABS-CBN Foundation · ABS-CBN Global Hungary Kft. · ABS-CBN Integrated and Strategic Property Holdings, Inc. · ABS-CBN International · ABS-CBN Marketing & Productions · ABS-CBN Multimedia, Inc. · ABS-CBN Publishing · ABS-CBN Radio Operations · ABS-CBN Shared Service Center Pte., Ltd · AMCARA Broadcasting Network · APGI · Bayan Telecommunications · Creative Programs · Culinary Publications, Inc. · E-Money Plus, Inc. · New Media · Nugen Music, Inc. · Pinoy Central · Regional Network Group · Roadrunner Network, Inc. · San Francisco International Gateway · Sarimanok News Network, Inc. · Sine Screen · SkyCable · Sky Films, Inc. · Star Home Video · Star Cinema · Star Magic · Star Records · Star Songs, Inc. · Star Television · The Big Dipper Digital Content & Design, Inc. · TV Food Chefs, Inc. |
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| Flagship radio networks |
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| Regional radio networks |
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| Terrestrial television networks |
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| Cable television networks |
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| International television networks |
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| ABS-CBN Publishing |
The Buzz · Pinoy Big Brother · Metro Magazine · Chalk Magazine · Food Magazine · Star Magic · Maven · Metro Him · Metro Home and Entertainment · Metro Weddings · Metro Society · K Magazine · Maxim · Myx · Sharon At Home · Star Studio · Working Mom · Vault
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| ABS-CBN Foundation |
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Annual Revenue: Php32 Billion (30% FY 2010) [1] · Employees: 11,500+ (2010) · Stock Symbol: (PSE: ABS) · Website: ABS-CBN.com
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