THANKS to the nonrenewal of the ABS-CBN franchise, I learned there are a lot of “lawyers” and “media experts” in the Philippines. The lot of them are all over social media, with their profiles bearing no photo or an innocuous bible quote.
They now think like they’re prosecutors as they keep citing that no one is above the law and because of that, ABS-CBN should be forever shut down. I agree that no one should be above the law, whether you’re a senator who recklessly endangered lives by accompanying your pregnant wife in the hospital despite being positive for the coronavirus, or a blogger slash government executive gathering a huge crowd. But speaking of the law, let me quote lawmaker Franz Alvarez: “If the NTC chooses to succumb to the pressure of the Solicitor General, and disregard the commitments they gave under oath, we reserve the right to call them before Congress and explain why they should not be held in contempt.”
Rep. Alvarez, in case you didn’t know, chairs the House Committee on Legislative Franchises. A lot of congressmen and even senators expressed their shock or even dismay with these turn of events. Even Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that it “stands by its position that there is sufficient equitable basis to allow broadcast entities to continue operating while the bills for the renewal of their franchise remain pending with Congress. Existing laws provide that a person who wishes to operate a radio/TV station must first obtain a legislative franchise and thereafter a license to operate from the NTC.”
Anyway, if they do not cite the “law,” these non-supporters of ABS-CBN share the interview of Estelita Tamano, president of the Federation of International Cable TV Association of the Philippines (FICTAP). Among her arguments for the nonrenewal is that ABS-CBN killed the cable TV industry of which she is obviously so passionate about.
She also noted that the pending application of ABS-CBN is for multiple channels. “Channels—may ‘s’ po!” she emphatically declared in a TV interview, citing that the original franchise granted 25 years ago was supposedly for just one channel.
Now, I am no media expert but, first of all, what I know of is one franchise, one frequency. Frequencies can carry multiple channels. My friend who is the real media expert says that ABS-CBN has six to eight standard-definition channels. Even the government station PTV 4 has three high-definition channels. Even the previous franchise didn’t mention the word “channel.” Frequencies, yes, but channels? So far from what I’ve read, nada. For a president of an organization that is supposed to be in tune with the industry, one must be aware of advancements in digital technology.
And on her issue regarding ABS-CBN killing the cable industry, the fact of the matter is that the Internet and evolving viewing habits of the audience are in combination the one killing it. This is not unique to the Philippines; it’s a worldwide phenomenon actually. Well, that is until recently, as studies now show cable TV enjoying a considerable boost in viewership due to Covid-19 lockdown. Not surprisingly, people are looking for more than free-to-air TV, and cable TV players have released original/exclusive content. That’s what HBO, AMC, Disney and other players in the landcsape stateside have been doing. That’s what even some local channels like Metro, ANC and Cinema One have been doing too. This industry will be stabilized in the near future. Remember when everyone was declaring that radio is dead thanks to music streaming services? It now has regained traction among listeners and continues to thrive. Maybe that cable TV organization can take a cue from this and encourage their members to do the same thing.
Anyway, despite this huge hurdle, ABS-CBN cable channels are still on air as well as its digital properties. Most importantly, the Kapamilya mission to be in service to the Filipino people, especially during this pandemic, is still ongoing.
The company’s “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” is still in full tilt, and one of their worthwhile projects is the free online streaming of Ang Huling El Bimbo starting today until May 9.
Ang Huling El Bimbo is an enthralling musical featuring the songs of the Eraserheads. I’ve seen this staged live before and it was such an experience. Anyway, the streaming will be available on the Facebook and YouTube pages of ABS-CBN.
While the show is free, everyone is encouraged to donate and proceeds will go to the Pantawid ng Pag-ibig program which so far has raised over P300 million and helped thousands and thousands of families during the pandemic.
Please check out Ang Huling El Bimbo. It boasts of great performances, thrilling rearrangements of our well-loved Eheads songs, and a fantastic production design (that car! that car!). Indeed, it’s nakaka-indak, nakaka-aliw, at nakaka-tindig balahibo!