Investing.com - Financial Markets Worldwide
Unlock Premium Data: Up to 50% Off InvestingProCLAIM SALE

Philippines watchdog halts broadcaster's digital TV, satellite services

Published 06/30/2020, 11:07 PM
Updated 06/30/2020, 11:10 PM
ABS
-

MANILA, June 30 (Reuters) - The Philippines'
telecommunications watchdog on Tuesday ordered the country's top
broadcaster ABS-CBN Corp ABS.PS to stop airing its shows on
satellite and digital television just weeks after shutting the
company's free TV and radio operations.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered Sky
Cable Corp, an ABS-CBN subsidiary and the largest cable company
in the country, to "immediately cease and desist" its
direct-to-home satellite transmission. NTC also directed the
broadcaster to stop airing on digital television.
The regulator had already told ABS-CBN to shut down its free
television and radio as its franchise expired and a parliament
dominated by President Rodrigo Duterte's allies dragged its feet
over its licence renewal. ABS-CBN had turned to digital, cable and satellite and
social media to continue broadcasting.
ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak on Tuesday appealed to lawmakers
to allow the company to continue operations while the congress
deliberates its franchise. Its digital and satellite services
reach 11 million homes or some 55 million people, or half of the
country's population, he said.
ABS-CBN has faced uncertainty for several years because of
Duterte's repeated threats to thwart its licence renewal bid,
which stems from the broadcaster's failure to air some of his
paid election campaign commercials, for which it recently
apologised.
The 66-year-old entertainment and media conglomerate, which
employs 11,000 people, said its programmes can still be viewed
on social media, YouTube and its mobile application.

Latest comments

Install Our App
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.