Television in the Philippines

INTRODUCTION

F

ive television stations, Channels 2, 4, 7, 9 and 13, broadcast canned U.S. shows, local variety shows, talk shows, newscasts and live coverages of special events. Prior to the liberalization of the telecommunications and related industries, cable TV broadcasts were availed through Channel 17 or Far Eastern Network (FEN), a US military network telecast from Clark Air Base in Pampanga province before the expiration of the RP-US military bases agreement. With telecoms liberalization sprouted a host of cable companies jostling for market dominance outside of the public TV broadcasting networks. Cable channels routinely offer broadcasts from CNN, NEC, NHK, ABC and CBS, etc.

MAJOR TELEVISION NETWORKS

The major public television broadcasting networks with nationwide reach include the following:

• ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. -- the country's biggest media organization and the first Filipino media conglomerate to go public in 1991.
  Chairman: Eugenio Lopez III
  President: Freddie Garcia
  Address: Mother Ignacia St., Diliman, Quezon City
  Tel: 924-2721, 924-2754, 924-4101, 924-2724
  Fax: 924-1568
  Flagship station: TV Channel 2 (Quezon City)
  Website: http://www.abs-cbn.com

• GMA Network, Inc. -- major competitor of ABS-CBN.
  VP/Network Manager: Roberto Barrero Sr.
  Address: RBS Bldg., EDSA, Quezon City
  Tel: 924-3048, 924-3069
  Fax: 924-2882, 924-3091
  Flagship station: TV Channel 7 (Quezon City)
  Website: http://www.gmanetwork.com

• Radio Philippines Network (RPN) -- a government- sequestered network which recently upset TV programming concepts by importing cheap Mexican tele-novelas that briefly grabbed prime-time ratings from established popular shows.
  General Manager: Rex Lores
  Address: Broadcast City, Capitol Hills, Quezon City
  Tel: 931-5080, 931-8805
  Fax: 931-8593
  Flagship station: TV Channel 9 (Quezon City)

• Allied Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) -- the newest TV network which has managed to grab a share of the local TV market.
  Address: Brgy. San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City
  Tel: 936-2551, 936-1557
  Fax: 936-1558
  Flagship station: TV Channel 5 (Quezon City)

• Interisland Broadcasting Corp. (IBC) -- another government-sequestered network which specializes in TV coverage for the professional basketball league.
  General Manager: Emiliano Templo
  Address: Broadcast City, Capitol Hills, Quezon City
  Tel: 931-5080, 931-8674
  Fax: 931-8593
  Flagship station: TV Channel 13

• People's Television Network, Inc. (PTNI) -- the official government television network created by law.
  Network Manager: Ramy Diez
  Address: Media Center Complex, Visayas Ave., Diliman, Quezon City
  Tel: 920-6521 to 44
  Fax: 920-4362
  Flagship station: TV Channel 4

OTHER TELEVISION STATIONS

Other TV stations operating in Metro Manila include:

• Southern Broadcasting Network
  General Manager: Jose Jalandoon
  Address: Strata 200, Emerald Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City
  Tel: 633-6291, 633-6293
  Fax: 633-8001
  Flagship station: TV-21

• Cinema TV 31
  Program Director: Lito O. Cruz
  Address: 4F State Condominium I, Salcedo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City
  Tel: 812-0539, 819-5437, 816-2846
  Fax: 812-8362
  Flagship station: TV-31

• United Broadcasting Network
  General Manager: Joseph Hodreal
  Address: FEMS Bldg., Zobel Roxas St., South Superhighway, Metro Manila
  Tel: 522-4792
  Fax: 521-0482
  Flagship station: TV-25

• Citynet Television Inc.
  General Manager: Beatriz J. Colamonici
  Address: 21st Floor, Unit 2104 Peak Bldg., Alfaro St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
  Tel: 811-3880 to 82
  Fax: 811-3820
  Flagship station: TV-27

• Rajah Broadcasting Network
  Address: Basement I, Robinson's Galeria, Ortigas Ave., Mandaluyong City
  Tel: 635-5528 to 30
  Fax: 635-5527
  Flagship station: TV-29