Many Filipinos are fond of watching television, especially during their vacant time. One of the most top-rated free-airing channels here in the country is the ABS-CBN channel. However, unfortunately, their company was forced to shut down due to a franchising issue.
This year, in line with the World's Press Freedom Day celebration, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) conducted a webinar with a theme: "Breaking Barriers to bring information to the Public." During the said webinar, one of the guest speakers Mr. Ruperto Nicdao Jr., The Chairperson of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, talks about the legislative franchise. He mentioned the impact of the number of television viewing before and during the pandemic. He also elucidated how the shutdown of the ABS-CBN company affects the number of television viewing in the country.
The results are as follows:
TV Viewing during Covid lockdown increased.
TV Viewing after ABS-CBN shutdown#1 and #2 caused declined in overall tv viewing.
Some loyal ABS-CBN viewers did not move to other channels.
As we experience pandemics, it was expected that people would usually spend their free time watching television with the family. Unfortunately, the shutting down of the said company has a severe effect on tv viewing here in our country. As I said earlier, ABS-CBN is one of the most well-known and established companies here in our country. Thus, it was expected that it has a lot of loyal watchers.
As one of the loyal watchers of the said channel, I was also affected by this issue. Indeed, many dedicated watchers chose not to move to another channel after the company's shutdown. The majority of Filipinos also rely on the ABS-CBN news program 'Tv Patrol' in gathering news and information in the country, which is vital nowadays.
On the bright side, Kapamilya Channel was opened after the shutdown of the said company. Some of the ABS-CBN programs were aired on this channel, including TV Patrol. However, this channel is not free-airing. Thus, not all people across the nation can access this channel.
The shutting down of the said company became a hot topic here in the country. Many debates happened, especially on the internet, But in the end, they say rules are rules.
Some Filipinos grew up with ABS-CBN programs on their side, and that includes me. Thus, It would take time for others to move on and accept the issue. Mr. Ruperto also mentioned that companies should balance existential issues or problems to avoid such issues from happening in the future. ABS-CBN remains a member of KBP or Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas for two years.
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