MANILA, Philippines — A broadcast frequency previously used by ABS-CBN Corp. has been awarded to Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), the media company of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a long-time friend and ally of President Rodrigo Duterte.
SMNI on Wednesday confirmed to ABS-CBN News that it received an authority from the National Telecommunications Commission, the telco regulator, to operate Channel 43, which was used to be assigned to Amcara Broadcasting Corp.
The Lopez-led network used Channel 43 for its TVPlus channels under a blocktime deal with Amcara, whose legislative franchise expired in 2020.
The development was first reported by Bilyonaryo.com, citing an anonymous source. The same Bilyonaryo report also said Channel 23, which ABS-CBN used for its Sports+Action programs, was given to Aliw Broadcasting Corp.
Apart from channels 43 and 23, the NTC also allowed Villar-owned Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. to temporarily operate channels 16 and 2 — two iconic frequencies that ABS-CBN lost when legislators at the House of Representatives who are allied with Duterte killed the network's franchise renewal bill at the committee level.
Broadcast spectrum is a limited public resource and the NTC’s decision would make it hard for ABS-CBN to regain the precious frequencies it lost during its painful shutdown. For now, it is unclear if there are available frequencies that ABS-CBN can use should the company manage to get a new franchise under a friendlier administration. The NTC did not respond to Philstar.com’s text messages and phone calls as of reporting.
On Wednesday, ABS-CBN stocks lost 10.14% to close at P12.76 apiece as investors reacted to the news. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral