CNN Phls to air this mo

MANILA, Philippines - 9TV of Radio Philippines Network channel 9 (RPN9) would be rebranded as CNN Philippines this month exactly four months after a new group led by Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua took over the company and partnered with Time Warner Inc.

Nine Media Corp. president Benjamin Ramos said the company’s 9TV would be rebranded as CNN Philippines within the month.

“Yes the rebranding will take effect this month,” Ramos replied via text when asked if the rebranding would push through as scheduled this month.

Last Aug. 23, Solar News Channel was renamed 9TV and Solar News organization became 9News marking the beginning of the channel’s thrust to reach wider audience and strengthen the presence on free TV RPN9. This after the group of Cabangon-Chua acquired the stake of businessman Wilson Tieng in Solar TV Network Inc. (STVN).

STVN’s Solar Entertainment Corp. used to own 34 percent of RPN9 while the Benedicto family through Far Eastern Manages and Investors kept its 32 percent of RPN9 while the government has a 20- percent interest in the broadcast firm.

Under the agreement between Cabangon Chua and Tieng’s Solar Group, STVN would have to forego the Solar name and change its corporate name before the end of last year. STVN would also stop using the Solar brand as well as logo.

Cabangon-Chua’s media empire includes Business Mirror and tabloid Pilipino Mirror as well as DwIZ 882 AM and 97.9 Natural FM through Aliw Broadcasting Corp.

Last Oct. 14, Nine Media Corp. chaired by Cabangon-Chua formalized its partnership with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific to launch CNN Philippines on free-to-air television as well as cable and pay TV.

Ramos earlier said the brand licensing agreement with Turner Broadcasting System is valid for five years.

CNN Philippines would be available on free-to-air TV in Manila RPN-TV9, Cebu RPN-TV9, Davao RPN-TV9, Zamboanga RPN-TV5, Baguio RPN-TV12, and Bacolod RPN-TV8.

It would also be available in cable TV via Sky Cable in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, and Baguio as well as Destiny Cable, Cablelink, and Cignal.

CNN Philippines would operate from studio facilities in Manila and would replace 9TV on the RPN network nationwide.

CNNPhilippines.com would also offer latest news, business, science and technology, entertainment and sports as well as opinion and analysis, special reports, exclusive interviews, and videos starting the first quarter of next year.

CNN Philippines is the latest addition to a family that includes CNN Turk, CNN IBN, CNN Chile, and CNN Indonesia.