TV war update

It’s true after all. The new owners of the Associated Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) are negotiating with the owners of a lot in front of GMA 7 so that ABC 5 can transfer its facilities to a new and better site in Quezon City.

Before the actual transfer though, the new management has confirmed that they are planning to cease airing for a month to facilitate a smooth transfer of facilities and equipment.

Abangan. ABC 5 management, led by Tonyboy Cojuangco, has promised that it will be all new shows starting next year. The group is in talks with various content providers as the former promises to give ABS-CBN and GMA 7 a big headache. Strong number three, and eventually number two or even one. That’s the goal.

GMA 7 On Cable Dispute

This is in reaction to your column dated Dec. 10. GMA Network would like to clarify some of the issues raised.

First of all, you mentioned that Mr. Gabby Lopez insists that GMA 7, particularly its engineers and technical people, knew and agreed to the transfer of GMA 7 to Channel 14. The problem is GMA 7 chairman Felipe Gozon was not informed. Our engineers and technical people vehemently deny Mr. Lopez’ insistence.

To quote our OIC for engineering Tony Leduna, "We have no knowledge of any proposal or plan to transfer GMA 7 to Channel 14. In fact, we were surprised to learn last Feb. 2003 that GMA was already transferred to Channel 14 after we started receiving calls from our viewers who subscribe to either Sky Cable or Home. Had there been an official communication from SkyCable, we would have certainly forwarded the same to management for their information while we at engineering make a study of its technical implications before we submit our position/recommendations."

You also wrote that "the NTC has repealed the must carry" rule which is contained in an NTC circular when it issued recently the rules governing relationships between CATV/direct-to-home satellite TV operators and foreign program/content providers. Following are the comments made by our AVP for legal affairs Dick Perez:

"The must-carry rule mandated in NTC Memorandum Circular 08-88 is still the rule and has not been repealed by the NTC. It is not true that NTC circular 10-10-2003 governing the relationships between CATV/DBS operators and foreign program providers require a prior agreement between the free channel and the cable operator before the latter can air the free channel in its system."

Our OIC for legal affairs Roberto Lucila furthers that "SkyCable seems to be taking the high road on its compliance with the NTC order. SkyCable has not returned all the UHF and VHF stations to the channel positions assigned to them by the NTC" –Butch Raquel, OIC corporate communications, GMA Network Inc.

(Butch and Atty. Perez are referring to Art. 6 Sec. 8 of MC 10-10-2003 which states that as the general rule, the reception, distribution, and/or transmission by an CATV/DBS operator of any TV signal without any agreement with or authorization from program/content providers are prohibited," which I said in effect repealed the must carry rule. I stand by my comment.)

Renewable Energy

Holiday greetings from Maxx-Energie Ventures Corp.!

I was scanning some old newspapers and read your column last Nov.19. There were two readers that wrote to you regarding alternative sources of energy. I would just like to answer some of their queries.

With regards to Joe Macaranas and Ed Castro’s questions on special batteries and renewable energy, our company distributes batteries that are capable of handling huge amounts of power storage for renewable energy applications. We are also connected with companies that provide renewable energy designs such as wind power and solar power.

If they are interested, they may e-mail us through HYPERLINK www.us.f105.mail.yahoo.com/ym/