ABS-CBN marks its first year after its franchise was denied by the House of Representatives.
The media giant was forced to shut down its terrestrial tv and radio operations in May 2020 after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease-and-desist order.
On July 10, 2020, the House committee on on Legislative Franchises, dominated by 70 congressmen aligned with President Rodrigo Duterte, handed a death sentence to the network’s franchise renewal bid rejecting it.
The denial came after President Rodrigo Duterte had said many times in public speeches that he would see to it that ABS-CBN ceases operations.
RELATED STORY: FULL TEXT: House committee resolution denying ABS-CBN a new franchise
Due to the franchise denial, ABS-CBN Corp. was forced to let go around half of its workforce in a period when millions were unemployed due to the ongoing global health crisis. The network also shut down its 53 regional tv and radio stations.
Despite the challenges, ABS-CBN refused to stop airing its programs despite the lack of a franchise with Kapamilya artists hoping the network will come back eventually.
The embattled network launched Kapamilya Channel on Cable and Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube to reach its audience.
The network also inked a block time agreement with Zoe TV of televangelist and Cibac Partylist Representative Eddie Villanueva to launch A2Z Channel 11 in October 2020.
In January this year, the network even reached out to its former rival TV5 to air its primetime programs and long-running musical variety show ASAP Natin ‘To.
READ ON: House Speaker: ABS-CBN franchise to wait until 2022
Despite the steps to regain its former glory, the network is still hounded by budget constraints and financial losses incurred due to the shutdown.
ABS-CBN recorded a Php19.5 billion net loss in 2020 and Php 1.9 billion in the first quarter of 2021.
The network’s ad revenue also declined from Php 22.9 billion in 2019 to Php7 billion in 2020.
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN is expanding its digital presence, boosting its streaming platform iWantTFC, and partnering with regional streaming service WeTV iflix for the advanced streaming of some ABS-CBN primetime shows.
Despite the challenges, ABS-CBN said it remains “thankful for the unwavering trust, love, and support of the Filipino people, who inspire the company and its people every day in sharing their stories and champion the Filipino talent.” (RA)
