NTC grants ABS-CBN frequencies to AMBS, SMNI, Aliw

The National Telecommunications Commission has given both the analog and digital broadcast frequencies previously held by ABS-CBN Corp. to Villar-led Advanced Media Broadcasting System, Inc.

The NTC also assigned Channel 43, which used to air ABS-CBN TV Plus programs, to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s Swara Sug Media Corp., operating as Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

Channel 23, which used to air ABS-CBN's sports and action channel, was assigned to Aliw Broadcasting Corp.

In a statement, the NTC said it granted AMBS on January 5 the provisional authority to install, operate and maintain a digital television broadcasting system in Metro Manila/Mega Manila using Channel 16 after "the determination of its legal, technical, and financial qualification."

Channel 16 was formerly ABS-CBN’s digital TV frequency.

"After the technical evaluation of AMBS' request for a simulcast channel, Channel 2 (the paired analog channel in Mega Manila of digital channel 16) was temporarily assigned to AMBS," NTC said.

Channel 2 is the analog frequency assigned to ABS-CBN before the company's legislative franchise expired in May 2020.

"This temporary assignment is for simulcast purposes only, and only until the analog shut-off scheduled in 2023. The temporary assignment was granted to ensure service to both analog and digital TV signal users as the country transitions to full digital TV," it added.

Prior to the grant of the provisional authority, the NTC said it sought policy guidance from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, a legal opinion from the Department of Justice, and the concurrence of the Office of the President-Office of the Executive Secretary.

"AMBS was the first applicant for an authority to install, operate and maintain a digital TV in Metro Manila as filed on 05 October 2006, under Case No. 2006-100," the NTC said in a statement.

"AMBS has been waiting for an available digital TV frequency since 2006 after undergoing a quasi-judicial process which includes notice to all interested/affected parties and hearing," it added.

Provisional authority

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NTC confirmed it granted Quiboloy’s Swara Sug Media Corp., operating as Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), a provisional authority (PA) to install, operate, and maintain digital television broadcasting system in Metro Manila using Channel 43.

Channel 43 was previously assigned to Amcara Broadcasting Network, which had a block-time arrangement with ABS-CBN to air its TV Plus programs.

In June 2020, the NTC ordered ABS-CBN to stop operations of Channel 43 in relation to its May 5, 2020 against the media giant to stop from operating radio and television stations after its congressional franchise expired in May 4, 2020. 

ABS-CBN went off air after receiving the NTC order on May 5, 2020.

The House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Franchises, later on, voted to deny the franchise application of ABS-CBN. 

Waiting since 2007

In awarding Channel 43 to SMNI, the NTC explained the Quiboloy-led media company was the third applicant for a PA as filed on October 16, 2007.

The company has been waiting for an available digital TV frequency since 2007 after undergoing a quasi-judicial process which includes notice to all interested/affected parties and hearing.

The NTC said it granted SMNI the PA “after determination of its legal, technical and financial qualification.”

“Prior to the grant of the PA, the NTC sought policy guidance from the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology), a legal opinion from the DOJ (Department of Justice) and the concurrence of the OP-OES (Office of the President-Office of the Executive Secretary),” the telecommunications regulator said.

Determination of qualification

The NTC explained that Aliw has been waiting for an available digital TV frequency since 2007 “after undergoing quasi-judicial process which includes notice to all interested/affected parties and hearing.”

Aliw was granted a PA “after determination of its legal, technical, and financial qualification.”

The NTC said it sought policy guidance from the DICT, legal opinion from the DOJ and the concurrence of the OP-OES prior to the grant of PA to Aliw. —NB, GMA News