Channel 43

HINDI PAGMAMAY-ARI NG ABSCBN ANG CHANNEL 43 PERO PINASASARA PA RIN ITO NG NTC DAHIL ABSCBN SHOWS ANG PINALALABAS DITO

From Nandy Villar, Integrated Marketing Head of ABS-CBN:

This is a slightly technical matter but I will explain it as simply as I can. 

Many people have asked me how ABS-CBN is able to continue broadcasting its channels on TV Plus. It is because these channels are airing through a frequency whose franchise has not expired, is not covered by the Ch2 cease and desist order, and is not owned by ABS-CBN. That is Channel 43, which is assigned to AMCARA Corp. It is not owned and is not part of ABS-CBN. 

ABS-CBN buys airtime from AMCARA in order to continue airing its TV Plus channels. It’s the same type of arrangement called “blocktime” between Eat Bulaga and GMA. Eat Bulaga is produced by TAPE, Inc and not GMA/Channel 7. TAPE is a “block timer” of GMA-7. Similarly, ABS-CBN as a producer of shows is a blocktimer of AMCARA. I need to point out that producing a show and broadcasting are two different activities. The former doesn’t require a franchise. Anyone can produce a show and buy airtime from a broadcaster that has a franchise to broadcast. 

What happened today is, Congressmen Marcoleta, Defensor, and Remulla together with, in my opinion, an incompetent NTC Commissioner want to extend the cease and desist order to Channel 43 simply because ABS-CBN is a blocktimer of the channel. That’s foul. Channel 43 still has a valid franchise. For ABS-CBN to produce shows and find platforms to exhibit them is not part of the cease and desist order. To block time is also not illegal. 

This is unjust railroading. It’s not due process anymore.