SkyCable stops SkyDirect service on Tuesday night

ABS-CBN subsidiary SkyCable on Tuesday complied with the National Telecommunications Commission's order instructing the cable TV operator to stop its direct broadcast satellite service SkyDirect immediately.

SkyCable said more than a million subscribers could lose their source of news and entertainment.

“1.5 million subscribers nationwide, including those in remote areas that do not receive television signals, will be deprived of access to the channels we carry that bring them news, information, education, and entertainment starting tonight June 30, 2020," SkyCable said in a statement.

The NTC, in its order dated June 30, 2020, ordered Sky Cable to “immediately cease and desist operating its Direct Broadcast Satellite Service.” 

The NTC noted that the legislative franchise granted to Sky Cable by virtue of Republic Act No. 7969 has expired on May 4, 2020.

“Upon the expiration of R.A. No. 7966, Sky Cable Corporation no longer has a valid and subsisting congressional franchise to install, operate and maintain a Direct Broadcast Satellite Service,” it said.

The NTC also ordered Sky Cable to show cause in writing within 10 days from receipt of the order why the radio frequencies assigned to the company shall not be recalled for “lack of the necessary Congressional franchise as required by law.”

Sky Cable was also directed to refund to all its subscribers the amounts representing unconsumed prepaid loads, deposit or advanced payment in monthly charges for postpaid subscribers, and, if any, the charges collected from new applicants.

Sky Cable said, “in the spirit of fairness,” it will continue to appeal to the NTC to extend the same privilege given in the past to other companies whose franchises have expired but are currently pending in Congress to continue its operations until a resolution is passed.

ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak during the House joint panel hearing on the company’s franchise admitted that Sky Cable’s 25-year franchise had already expired as he appealed for “fairness” since the Congress had allowed companies whose franchises had already expired to continue operating while the applications for renewal were pending.

“We assure our subscribers that we will exhaust all legal remedies to resume our services,” Sky Cable said.

“We commit to attend to the concerns of our valued subscribers and partners arising from this decision,” it said.

Sky Cable said it would refund all unconsumed prepaid loads and advance postpaid payments.

“We appeal to our SkyDirect subscribers and partners for understanding and patience as we undergo this process,” it said. -NB, GMA News