ABS-CBN TVplus not competing with SKYCable

MANILA, Philippines — With the recent addition of five new channels to ABS-CBN TVplus, Pinoy viewers can now have more choices of quality entertainment.

The additional channels are the Asianovela Channel, Movie Central, O Shopping, MYX and Jeepney TV. O Shopping, the Kapamilya home TV shopping channel, will be accessible permanently free of charge while the other four new channels will be available until Dec. 31 on a free trial to all Kapamilya with existing or newly-purchased mahiwagang black box installed within the areas of Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Metro Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.

In a press statement, head of ABS-CBN digital terrestrial television Chinky Alcedo said, “We believe that every Filipino should be given the opportunity to enjoy quality content at home. Our five new exclusive channels not only empower families but also ring true to our core mission to deliver more quality and exciting choices to our Kapamilya.”

If that is the case, the possibility is great for people to no longer consider the services of local cable providers known for quality entertainment yet with a premium price. Will ABS-CBN TVplus affect the cable operations, particularly SKYCable which is also under the Kapamilya banner?

At the recent media conference, ABS-CBN TVplus product manager Alvin Ebrada said the digital terrestrial television box will not in any way affect SKYCable whether in its operation or sales aspects.

“Mag-kakaiba po ng offers ang TVplus at SKYCable,” began Alvin. “The two cater to different markets. Ultimately, the customers have a choice based on their needs in terms of TV viewing at home.” Case in point is the Asianovela dramas that are popular on the Kapamilya free TV and with the decision to bring Asianovela Channel to the mahiwagang black box, certainly, is beneficial to followers of the Asian dramas and movies.

“(On free TV) Asianovelas are sharing (airtime) with local programs and it cannot be helped that there are cut scenes, (they are) edited out. With Asianovela Channel, of course, it’s still Tagalized and more than that, there are no cuts. From 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., all Asian dramas and movies will be aired. So, if you are busy on weekdays because of work, we have re-runs and marathons on weekends and with that, there is only a slim chance for you to miss episodes of your favorite Asian drama,” explained Asianovela promo specialist Carlota Rosales.

Meanwhile, Movie Central, the first all-English movie channel on TVplus, will give families a daily dose of Hollywood blockbusters in their original language and in various genres starting from 7 a.m until its sign-off at 1 a.m. Movie Central head Ronald Arguelles announced that they have 500 titles available to date and more to come.

From cable television, the 24/7 Jeepney TV presents a rich collection of classic and well-loved Kapamilya shows. It also gives Pinoys daily catch-up viewing of same-day episodes of Magandang Buhay, It’s Showtime and ASAP.

MYX is also ready to cater to music enthusiasts by airing a mix of OPM and international music videos round the clock.

Other areas in the rest of Luzon and VisMin can look forward to enjoying the new channels as ABS-CBN TVplus will roll them out to the rest of the digital terrestrial television coverage areas soon.

Also present at the launch were Jeepney TV channel head Cindy de Leon, MYX VJ Ai dela Cruz and O Shopping business development head Paper Reyno.