ABS-CBN shows back on Channel 2

MANILA, Philippines — The Lopezes have found another platform where they can air ABS-CBN shows, signing a content partnership agreement with the network that took over their frequencies.

ABS-CBN yesterday signed a deal with Villar-owned Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS) for the airing of some of its entertainment programs and news shows on free TV channel ALLTV.

In 2020, legislators rejected ABS-CBN’s bid for a franchise renewal, leading to its exit on free TV and the eventual crash of its finances.

Afterward, the National Telecommunications Commission designated AMBS with Channel 2 on analog and Channel 16 on digital, both frequencies formerly assigned to ABS-CBN. AMBS has used both of the outlets since 2022 as the platform for ALLTV.

In retrospect, the agreement entered into with AMBS marks a return for ABS-CBN to its former home. Likewise, the move complements ABS-CBN’s strategy to strike partnerships with viewing platforms where it can screen its content.

As agreed upon, ALLTV will host the airing of TV Patrol, the longest-running evening newscast in the Philippines.

Similarly, ALLTV will air on its channel some of the shows from Jeepney TV, a pay TV platform owned and operated by ABS-CBN.

ALLTV will start airing the ABS-CBN shows on May 13, and AMBS hopes the partnership will boost the viewership of its free TV outlet.

For ABS-CBN, the collaboration with another broadcaster could help it rebound financially. The company has yet to pick up the pieces since losing in 2020 its privilege to air on national TV.

The media giant owned by the Lopez empire worsened its net loss to P9.76 billion in 2023, from P2.46 billion in 2022, concluding another year in the red. ABS-CBN realized an impairment loss of P9.12 billion due to the depreciation of its broadband and cable assets.

Worse, ABS-CBN’s pay TV provider Sky Cable Corp. is struggling to pay P4.53 billion in debts to lenders, but must settle them within the year as promised.

One of the positives for ABS-CBN is that it is expanding in digital platforms and partnering with media channels, such as ALLTV, as these efforts infuse additional revenue into the company.