ABS-CBN may apply for frequencies, channels if it gets new franchise —NTC

Media giant ABS-CBN Corporation may reapply for frequencies and channels once it acquires a legislative franchise to operate a free-to-air broadcast network, the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) said Tuesday.

During the House of Representatives’ budget deliberation for the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) proposed P46-billion budget for 2021, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said there are still many available channels and frequencies that the ABS-CBN can apply for once its secured a new Congressional franchise.

“If may bago silang franchise, they can apply po. It’s possible they can apply when they get a new franchise,” Cordoba said.

Last week, the NTC recalled all frequencies and channels assigned to the Lopez-led media giant, “absent a valid legislative franchise." 

ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise lapsed on May 4.

On May 5, the NTC issued an order for the company to cease and desist from operating its radio and television stations and explain in writing why the frequencies assigned to it should not be recalled for lack of franchise.

The NTC’s May 5 action was a turnaround from Cordoba’s statement before the House of Representatives in March that they will issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN given that the House and the Senate made communications stating they are in favor of such issuance.

On June 30, the regulator ordered ABS-CBN to cease and desist from operating digital TV transmission in Metro Manila using Channel 43, which it uses to broadcast ABS-CBN TV Plus programs.

Then, on July 10, House Committee on Legislative Franchise voted to deny ABS-CBN’s franchise application, adopting the Technical Working Group’s (TWG) Committee Resolution recommending the denial of the network's franchise application through 70 yes votes, 11 no votes, and three who did not participate.

The bills seeking franchise renewal for ABS-CBN have been pending since 2014 but the House only decided to start its deliberations on these proposals on March 10 this year.

The Supreme Court also dismissed ABS-CBN's petition challenging the NTC's cease and desist order that forced it to shut down broadcast operations last May.

ABS-CBN has since shifted its focus to businesses that do not require a legislative franchise to operate free-to-air broadcast, such as international licensing and distribution, digital and cable businesses, as well as continuing with the syndication of content through various streaming services.

The media company said its news and other content are accessible through digital platforms such as its social media pages, its YouTube channel, the iWant app, and on cable TV.

ABS-CBN said it has adopted and continues to implement cost control measures, reducing general administrative expenses (GAEX) or overhead, rationalizing capital expenditures, and streamlining its manpower requirements. — BM, GMA News