UNTV (Philippines)

UNTV
Type Broadcast television network
Country Philippines
Availability National/Worldwide
Founded 2001
by Alfredo L. Henares
Slogan Your Public Service Channel
TV stations List of TV stations
Headquarters 907 EDSA, Philam Homes, Quezon City
Owner Progressive Broadcasting Corporation (PBC)
(Broadcast spectrum/ license)
Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (BMPI)[1]
(Broadcast equipment and studios)
Key people
 Alfredo "Atom" L. Henares (Chairman, President of PBC)
Daniel Razon (Chairman, CEO of BMPI)
Launch date
 2001
Former names
 UNTV (2004-2015)
UNTV Life (2015-2016)
Picture format
 NTSC 480i (4:3 SDTV)
Official website
 untvweb.com

UNTV, formally known by two brands as UNTV News and Rescue and UNTV Public Service, is the flagship Philippine television network of the Progressive Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), together with Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International, Inc. (BMPI), the network's content provider and marketing arm. DWAO-TV is one of very few NTSC-System M stations in the world that broadcast on Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Channel 37. Its studios are located at the UNTV Building, 907 Brgy. Philam, EDSA Quezon City and transmitter located at Emerald Hills, Sumulong Highway in Antipolo, Rizal. The 16-storey UNTV Broadcast Center along EDSA Philam is currently under construction to serve as its new headquarters by 2018.

It is known for its broadcast of Ang Dating Daan (ADD), the longest-running religious program in the Philippines, hosted by radio and TV evangelist Bro. Eli Soriano, the Overall Servant to the Members Church of God International (MCGI). UNTV's public service programs and free services are manned by BMPI chairman and CEO, Daniel Razon. Razon is the Assistant to the Overall Servant of MCGI.

UNTV is a joint-venture between Progressive Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) majority owned by Alfredo "Atom" Henares and Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (BMPI) Inc. led by Daniel Razon.[1] BMPI is an affiliate of Members Church of God International (MCGI).

PBC owns the broadcast license, the radio frequency spectrum (UHF) necessary for broadcasting while the owners entrusted Razon with the day-to-day operations and marketing through BMPI. Bro. Eli Soriano during their Thanksgiving to God celebration mentioned the 50-year exclusive lease agreement among PBC, BMPI and MCGI.[2] BMPI and MCGI retains ownership of its own broadcast and production facilities including transmitters, towers and antenna, cameras, news vehicles and studios. The UNTV Broadcast Center is also owned by BMPI.

Existing content for the Ang Dating Daan program is being recorded from MCGI broadcast facility in South America, a garage turned into a makeshift studio in Brazil shared with MCGI's own TV networks TV Verdade, TV La Verdad and The Truth Channel.[3][4]

UNTV is referred to as "The Kasangbahay Network",[5][6] a Filipino word which means "household", a group of people, often a family, who live together. It was introduced in 2007.

History

Early years (2001 to 2004)

Old UNTV logo used from 2002 to 2006.

In July 2001, the Progressive Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) owned by businessman Alfredo "Atom" Henares ventured into UHF television through UNTV 37.[7] After almost a year of test broadcast, UNTV (pronounced as "un-tee-vee") was launched in May 2002 as a television counterpart to PBC's FM radio station NU 107 (DWNU 107.5 FM), airing rock and alternative rock music videos. NU 107 is a brainchild of Henares and radio veteran Mike N. Pedero. It has carved a niche in the radio broadcast history as one of the very first alternative radio station that plays artists who breaks new ground in music.[7] In its early years on television, UNTV gained a cult following through comedy and reality show Strangebrew known as "Ang show na may tama" and "In the Raw."

UN Television (2004 to present)

In 2004, UNTV gradually reduced and eventually ceased airing rock music videos after its blocktime slots were acquired by Tapatan, Inc., a multimedia and consultancy firm headed by veteran broadcaster Jay Sonza as chairman and CEO.[8] Later, news and public affairs programs were introduced and Sonza became UNTV station manager.[9]

Henares also had a deal with MCGI for religious programming at night.[10] Since then, UNTV started airing and eventually became the permanent home of the religious program Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) after leaving GemCom Holdings-owned UHF TV network SBN 21.

Later, the station was rebranded as "UN Television (UNTV)" (pronounced as "you-en-tee-vee."). The relaunch aims to introduce the station to a larger demographic range of audience. It comes with a new Station ID, own website, and new tagline "In Service to Humanity. Worldwide."[8]

UNTV started from scratch with a one-room broadcast studio located at the AIC Gold Tower in Ortigas Center in Pasig. [11] 2004 marks UNTV's entry into satellite broadcasting using Agila 2 satellite then moved to ABS 5/ABS 3 satellite in late-2011 (Now in Measat 3A satellite as of present time) and the start of its 24/7 broadcast through its official website.[12]

In November 2005, the station became a household name after one of its cameraman captured an exclusive four minute raw footage of a shooting incident right in front of its studio in Ortigas which was aired in TV Patrol, the top-rating primetime newscast of ABS-CBN.[13]

As it needs a larger space for its growing public service initiatives, the station transferred to Brgy. Damayang Lagi New Manila, Quezon City in 2006 and later at its own building at 907 Philam Homes along EDSA Quezon City in 2008.

Since then, UNTV became a 24/7 free TV station broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (however, they continue to sign-off the air every Monday mornings from 12mn to 3am due to regular transmitter maintenance) on free-to-air TV airing not only religious programs of ADD, but also news and current affairs, public service, informative and entertainment programs. In 2007, Kuya Daniel Razon's BMPI acquired the main technical and TV production operations of UNTV and was launched as a public service channel, a first in Philippine TV history.

UNTV Life logo (2015-2016)

In 2013, UNTV ceased using its old analog transmitter tower in Crestview Heights Subdivision, Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City, Rizal and began using its newly constructed tower located near Emerald Hills in Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City, Rizal for a clearer and better signal reception and used to broadcast UNTV both in analog and digital and 107.5 Wish FM.

Last June 25–26, 2014, the network marks its 10th anniversary in the broadcast industry with a two-day UNTV Elderpowerment Expo and UNTV Rescue Summit held at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) and World Trade Center (WTC) both in Pasay and the soft-launching of "107.5" a new FM radio station under management of UNTV-BMPI.

Also on June 26, 2014, UNTV held the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of UNTV Broadcast Center, a 16-storey building that will serve as its new headquarters strategically located along EDSA, in front of Ayala Land's Vertis North project and TriNoma mall and just a few meters away from its current building, the lot formerly occupied by Kamanggagawa Foundation's Transient Home.

On July 14, 2014, UNTV became a top trending topic in Twitter after netizens expressed their sentiments right after UNTV-BMPI Chairman and CEO Daniel Razon, in his morning show "Good Morning Kuya", aired his dismay over and alleged Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, one of the Metro Manila's luxury hotels, of media discrimination when it removed UNTV in its hotel TV channel line-up without notice. The hotel said it was a system limitation on its part while comments from some of the netizens relate this incident to the July 27, 2014 centennial anniversary celebration of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), a rich and politically influential church in the Philippines. Allegedly, some INC members staying at Sofitel requested removal of UNTV which was denied by INC, a known doctrinal opponent of ADD, a program aired in UNTV.

On August 10, 2014, UNTV-BMPI formally relaunched 107.5 as 107.5 Wish FM with a free concert featuring OPM singers at the WTC and UNTV's newest theme song entitled "Maaasahan Mo" sung by Shane Velasco and Beverly Caimen.

On August 25–26, 2015, as part of UNTV's 11th anniversary celebration, a two-day event was held including the opening of the basketball league of Philippine government agencies, the UNTV Cup Season 4 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Public Service Expo and the 2nd UNTV Rescue Summit at the SMX Convention Center. On August 26, the unveiling of the new UNTV was held at the MOA Arena and it was officially rebranded as UNTV Life along with its upcoming shows and a new colorful 3D cube logo was introduced which was followed by a free concert courtesy of Wish 1075. On the following day, UNTV started airing with its new and refreshed look.

On May 18, 2016, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Republic Act No. 10820 which renewed PBC’s license for another 25 years. The law grants PBC a franchise to construct, install, operate, and maintain, for commercial purposes, radio broadcasting stations and television stations, including digital television system, with the corresponding facilities such as relay stations, throughout the Philippines.[14][15]

On July 18, 2016, UNTV Life underwent a major rebranding and rebranded to a global news and rescue company known as UNTV News and Rescue. The network meanwhile retained its long-time slogan, "Your Public Service Channel". After the refresh, its programs were classified into two programming blocks, UNTV News and Rescue and UNTV Public Service. The News and Rescue block is composed of newscasts such as Ito ang Balita, Hataw Balita, UNTV Central News (C-News) and Why News and rescue-oriented program 911-UNTV. The Public Service block consists of public service and informative programs, including the network's newest public service program Serbisyong Kasangbahay,[16] religious programs like Ang Dating Daan and Itanong Mo Kay Soriano and entertainment and sports-oriented shows like ASOP Music Festival and UNTV Cup.[17]

Digital transition

Digital terrestrial television

UNTV is currently testing Japan's Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T), the sole digital television (DTV) standard in the Philippines for its transition from analog to digital broadcast.[18] During its 9th anniversary celebration in 2013, Daniel Razon announced the network’s ongoing transition from analog to digital broadcast. The activity includes upgrading of technical equipment and studio facilities.[19]

After a year, UNTV began its test broadcast in Metro Manila using its new digital transmitter in Antipolo.[20] On October 2, 2014, UNTV began its simulcast test broadcast on UHF channel 38 (617.143 MHz) along with its analog broadcast on UHF channel 37. It has two (2) standard definition (SD) channels and one 1seg or “oneseg” channel. 1seg is the common name of DTV service specifically for mobile phone devices. UNTV multi-channel line-up also includes one (1) high definition (HD) channel called “ADDTV” or Ang Dating Daan TV showing purely religious programs. Its digital broadcast can be received in Metro Manila and nearby provinces like Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite and Rizal, using ISDB-T set top boxes including LED TV sets and mobile devices with built-in ISDB-T tuners.[21] In a DTV signal test conducted by Philippine mobile phone brand Starmobile last April 2015, UNTV was present in eight out of 14 locations in Metro Manila with decent signal strength of three up to the maximum of four signal bars. [22]

On April 2016, Anywave Communication Technologies Co. Ltd. announced that UNTV tapped Anywave for its implementation of analog and digital transmitters.[23] Anywave is a manufacturer of television and radio transmission equipment with headquarters in Illinois, United States.

On August 13, 2016, Daniel Razon announced that UNTV is set to roll out its digital terrestrial television (DTT) service by the end of 2016.[24] Upgrading of existing analog relay stations in Davao City and Cebu will be prioritized.[25]

News and current affairs

UNTV News and Current Affairs (also known as UNTV News) is the news division of UNTV News and Rescue. The organization is responsible for the daily news and information gathering for its news programs. It serves UNTV, UNTV Radio La Verdad 1350 kHz and UNTV News website.

The division operates at UNTV Building in Quezon City and has news bureaus in various provinces and abroad. It has news correspondents and stringers in North America, South America, Europe, Asia Oceania and the Middle East.[26]

Currently, it is headed by Lorenzo Tañada III, former congressman from Quezon province. North America News Bureau Chief is Joselito Mallari.[26] UNTV Radio La Verdad 1350 kHz, UNTV's flagship AM radio station is headed by station manager Annie Rentoy.[27]

All newscasts (except Why News which is delivered in English) are presented in the Filipino vernacular. In 2016, UNTV reporters started delivering pre-recorded reports in different languages. Province-based reporters delivered the news in Filipino or in their native dialects, while foreign-based correspondents using in English or any foreign languages in their reports. Second-language subtitles were also introduced (English subtitles on all newscasts, but may add Filipino subtitles for regional and international reports).

News and rescue team

On July 18, 2010, Daniel Razon launched an advocacy "Tulong Muna Bago Balita" (English: Rescue First, Report Later). UNTV correspondents are not pressured to break or report news exclusives but encourages media practitioners to prioritize saving lives as part of their profession. UNTV News correspondents were sent to an emergency response training (ERT) course. They were trained by the Search and Rescue Unit Foundation, Inc. (SARUF), a recognized army rescue unit in the Philippines, to be rescuers, from first-aid applications to technical search and rescue operations. After passing the ERT, the news team was renamed UNTV News and Rescue Team. On November 28, 2010, the network launched 15 news and rescue mobile units and later, a News and Rescue Command Center at the UNTV Building.[28][29] The team are equipped with all-terrain/amphibian vehicles and rescue trucks for their operations. The station also launched the UNTV Fire Brigade after acquiring new firetrucks.[30]

In August 2015, an underwater rescue team and hundreds of new rescuers were introduced. A new hotline for emergency situations, 911-UNTV (911-8688), was also launched.[31] In 2016, news anchors and program hosts of the network also joined the rescue training.[32]

Drone journalism

In 2013, UNTV marked another first in Philippine TV news landscape as the network acquired DJI Phantom aerial drones for their live news reporting.[33] In November 2013, drones were used by UNTV for its coverage of the Typhoon Haiyan aftermath in Tacloban, Leyte. Currently, drones were used by the network in reporting traffic situation.[34]

Public service

All these public services are located at their studio at EDSA-Philam. The daily free medical consultations were done at 164 Congressional Avenue, Barangay Bahay-Toro, Quezon City.

Awards and recognitions

Programming

UNTV program lineup includes news and public service programs, religious programs, entertainment and informative programs, talk shows, sports shows, and educational programs. It also launched a regular community prayer aimed at bringing the prayerful lifestyle using broadcast media.[40] The programs shown on the network are produced by BMPI. Meanwhile, religious programs are produced by the Members Church of God International.

Television stations

Currently, there are more than ten stations in different parts of the Philippines. UNTV Management plans to cover a majority of the provinces in the Philippines as part of its expansion program in the near future.

Analog stations

Branding Callsign Ch. # Power (kW) Station Type Location
UNTV 37 Manila DWAO-TV TV-37 60 kW Originating Metro Manila
UNTV 37 Palawan DZAO-TV TV-37 60 kW Relay Palawan
UNTV 28 Tarlac DZXT-TV TV-28 1 kW Relay Tarlac
UNTV 50 Naga DZTR-TV TV-50 5 kW Relay Naga
UNTV 42 Iloilo DYNY-TV TV-42 5 kW Relay Iloilo
UNTV 28 Bacolod DYNA-TV TV-28 10 kW Relay San Carlos City (Negros)
UNTV 39 Cebu DYNU-TV TV-39 10 kW Relay Cebu
UNTV 50 Tagbilaran DY__-TV TV-50 5 kW Relay Tagbilaran
UNTV 39 Tacloban DYNV-TV TV-39 5 kW Relay Tacloban
UNTV 41 Cagayan de Oro DXNY-TV TV-41 10 kW Relay Cagayan De Oro
UNTV 51 Davao DXNU-TV TV-51 10 kW Relay Davao
UNTV 48 General Santos DXNV-TV TV-48 5 kW Relay General Santos
UNTV 37 Surigao DXNT-TV TV-37 5 kW Relay Surigao

Digital stations

Branding Callsign Ch. # Frequency Power (kW) Station Type Transmitter Location Coverage Area Status
UNTV DWAO-TV TV-38 617.143 (TBA) Originating Metro Manila (Antipolo, Rizal) Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, Cavite Free-to-air test broadcast

Digital channel line-up

Stream PSIP Short Name LCN Aspect
Ratio		 Video
Format		 Resolution FPS Scan Audio
Format		 EPG BML Programming
SD 1 UNTV-1 09.01 16:9 H.264 1920x1080p 29.97 Interlace HE-AAC None None UNTV
SD 2 UNTV-2 09.02 16:9 H.264 1920x1080p 29.97 Interlace HE-AAC None None Kids Nation Channel (KNC)
HD 3 ADDTV 09.03 16:9 H.264 1920x1080p Upscaled 29.97 Interlace HE-AAC None None ADD video library
1SEG UNTV 1SEG 09.31 4:3 H.264 320x240p (No Data) Progressive HE-AAC None None UNTV (mirror feed)

Satellite broadcast

UNTV can be received via satellite in the Philippines and other countries in Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Type Satellite Band Position Beam Frequency Polarity System SR FEC Encryption Coverage
Free-to-air (FTA)[41] Measat 3A[42] C Band 91.5° East Global[43] 3705 Horizontal DVB-S MPEG-2 4290 3/4 None Asia, Australia, Middle East, South Eastern Europe and Eastern Africa

Pay television

Pay TV Provider Type Ch. # Coverage
SkyCable Analog 33 Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan
SkyCable Digital 58 Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan
Destiny Cable Analog 9 Metro Manila
Destiny Cable Digital 58 Metro Manila
Cablelink Analog & Digital 99 Metro Manila
Cignal Satellite (Digital) 182[44] Nationwide
Sky Direct Satellite (Digital) 40[45] Nationwide
G Sat Satellite (Digital) 138[46] Nationwide
Other cable/satellite providers N/A N/A check with local operators

Internet streaming

UNTV can be received via online streaming by encoding the network's streaming link URL in the VLC Media Player installed on personal computers and mobile devices.

Links Network Streaming URL
Primary http://livestream01.untvweb.com:1935/public/untvwebstream/playlist.m3u8
Alternate http://untv.vo.llnwd.net/e1/hls/untv/index.m3u8

Mobile application

In 2013, BMPI launched the UNTV Mobile App for Apple iOS and Google Android mobile and tablet devices. In 2016, it was made available for Windows Mobile phones. By downloading the mobile application, users with stable internet connection will be able to watch the broadcast feed of UNTV News and Rescue and listen to Radio La Verdad 1350 kHz for free.

Application Platform Download Link
UNTV Mobile App Apple iOS Apple iTunes Store
Google Android Google Play Store
Microsoft Windows Mobile Microsoft Store

References

  1. 1 2 http://www.bitagmedia.com/about-bitag/
  2. ↑ https://techthetruth.wordpress.com/2016/12/09/ang-dating-daan-marks-36-years-of-fruitful-evangelization-by-giving-8000-bibles-for-free-doing-public-service/
  3. ↑ https://www.mcgi.org/from-a-small-and-cramped-garage-to-the-world-mcgi-airs-new-24-hour-spanish-language-broadcast/
  4. ↑ https://techthetruth.wordpress.com/2016/09/28/4756/
  5. ↑ "What lured Edu back to teleserye". philstar.com.
  6. ↑ "Angelo Diego Castro III". untvradio.com.
  7. 1 2 "Company Profile". untvweb.com (Wayback Machine). Archived from the original on February 4, 2005. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Company Information" (PDF). untvweb.com (Wayback Machine). Archived from the original on February 4, 2005. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  9. ↑ "UNTV confirms crew killed in Maguindanao massacre". news.abs-cbn.com.
  10. ↑ "Atom Henares interview by Edwin Sallan". edwinsallan.blogspot.com.
  11. ↑ "Get it Straight with Daniel Razon". philstar.com.
  12. ↑ "Technology". untvweb.com (Wayback Machine). Archived from the original on August 5, 2004. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  13. ↑ "G.R. No. 205956". lawphil.net.
  14. ↑ "Republic Act No. 10820". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines (gov.ph).
  15. ↑ "Progressive Broadcasting Corporation (UNTV) franchise renewed". techthetruth.wordpress.com.
  16. ↑ "Kuya Daniel Leads UNTV Brand Refresh as UNTV News and Rescue for Intensified Public Service Push". danielrazon.com. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Rebranding: UNTV Life is now UNTV Public Service". techthetruth.wordpress.com.
  18. ↑ "Philippines adopts Japan standard for digital TV". interaksyon.com.
  19. ↑ "Bagong public services at mga programa inilunsad sa 9th anniversary ng UNTV". untvweb.com.
  20. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/DTVPilipinas/posts/982316968460514
  21. ↑ http://sci.com.ph/digitaltvbox/
  22. ↑ "Starmobile concludes Metro Manila DTV signal testing". starmobile.ph.
  23. ↑ "Anywave Communications Company Profile" (PDF). Anywave Communication Technologies Co. Ltd.
  24. ↑ "UNTV News and Rescue announces digital terrestrial TV expansion plans". techthetruth.wordpress.com.
  25. ↑ "MCGI holds thanksgiving event in Davao City, announces upcoming digital TV broadcast in Cebu, Davao". techthetruth.wordpress.com.
  26. 1 2 "Company Information (About UNTV)". untvweb.com.
  27. ↑ "Hosts". untvweb.com.
  28. ↑ "Tulong Muna Bago Balita". danielrazon.com.
  29. ↑ "Tulong Muna Bago Balita". untvweb.com.
  30. ↑ "News and Rescue Team of UNTV Offers Thanksgiving as it Celebrates 4th Anniversary". mcgi.org.
  31. ↑ "Better and stronger UNTV rescue launched". untvweb.com.
  32. ↑ "Mga anchor at host ng UNTV, sumailalim sa rescue training". untvweb.com.
  33. ↑ "UNTV employs DJI Phantom drones for broadcasting". yugatech.com.
  34. ↑ "UNTV Flies Drones for News and Rescue, A First in the Philippines". danielrazon.com.
  35. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyZOkJdtbs0
  36. ↑ http://www.mb.com.ph/joel-torre-boots-anson-roa-win-big-at-golden-dove-awards/
  37. ↑ https://www.untvweb.com/videos/larry-henares-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-at-23rd-kbp-golden-dove-awards/
  38. ↑ https://kuyadanielrazon.wordpress.com/2015/10/26/dswd-honors-untv-life-with-pagpapahalaga-award/
  39. ↑ http://www.untvweb.com/news/asop-knc-show-at-hosts-pinarangalan-sa-29th-pmpc-star-awards-for-tv/
  40. ↑ "Community prayer on Philippine TV launched". mcgi.org.
  41. ↑ http://www.lyngsat.com/Measat-3a.html
  42. ↑ http://www.measat.com/support_video_measat3.html
  43. ↑ http://www.measat.com/satellite_91e_measat3a.html
  44. ↑ "Cignal TV Shows New Channel Line-up Starting Dec. 19". techthetruth.wordpress.com. Retrieved 19 Dec 2016.
  45. ↑ "Sky Direct on SES 9 at 108.2°E". www.lyngsat.com. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  46. ↑ . techthetruth.wordpress.com https://techthetruth.wordpress.com/2017/01/31/global-satellite-gsat-updates-channel-line-up-adds-untv/. Retrieved 10 February 2017. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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