61-476: The ABS-CBN Soundstage at the Horizon IT Park, San Jose del Monte , Bulacan , is the main production facility of ABS-CBN . It is owned by ABS-CBN Corporation , and operated and managed by ABS-CBN Studios, Inc. Although the original plan is to have a total of 10 soundstages with 2 stages each, only 1 soundstage with 2 stages have been completed as of 2018. No announcements have been made as of 2021 regarding
122-677: A block time agreement with AMCARA Broadcasting Network (former owner of Studio 23 from its 1996 launch until ABS-CBN acquired a stake in AMCARA in 2010) owned by the Carandang family. On the same day, MOR Philippines also resumed its online and cable operations through a national programming service set up by the network's flagship station in Metro Manila . On May 11, 2020, House Representatives Paolo Duterte , Eric Go Yap , and Abraham Tolentino filed House Resolution No. 853, seeking to probe into
183-401: A congressional franchise to operate television and radio stations, which usually lasts for up to 25 years. ABS-CBN, which had been operating since July 11, 1946, made its first television broadcast on October 23, 1953, had last been granted a 25-year franchise extension on March 30, 1995, under Republic Act No. 7966 (but later implemented on May 4, 1995). This expired on May 4, 2020, as upheld by
244-687: A family entertainment center in Taguig. According to the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), ABS-CBN Corporation controlled "somewhere between 31% and 44%" of the Philippines' total television market as of 2020. Before the 2020 stoppage, ABS-CBN had been closed down on September 23, 1972, when martial law under Ferdinand Marcos was announced and the station's television and radio stations were sequestered. Marcos' Letter of Instruction No. 1-A, signed September 22, 1972, and addressed to
305-546: A provisional authority to ABS-CBN and "let ABS-CBN continue operations based on equity". However, the Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Associations of the Philippines (FICTAP) questioned the provisional authority, stating that it would be unconstitutional. On June 23, 2020, the Supreme Court of the Philippines dismissed the quo warranto petition to revoke ABS-CBN Corporation's franchise, stating that
366-465: A provisional authority to ABS-CBN. Six days before, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises issued a show cause order against NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba , Deputy Commissioners Edgardo Cabarios, Delilah Deles, and Legal Branch Head Ella Blanca Lopez to explain why should not be cited in contempt for issuing the cease and desist order against ABS-CBN. The NTC responded by stating that it
427-552: Is carried through ABS-CBN TV Plus , making it one of three exclusive channels (the others being Cine Mo! and Yey! ) that remain operational on digital free-to-air television after the NTC's order takes effect. ABS-CBN later clarified in a statement that the three channels, along with Kapamilya Box Office channel, continued broadcasting and received in Metro Manila , Laguna province , Iloilo province , and selected areas of Baguio through
488-516: Is known as EL3 Stage, named after ABS-CBN's chairman emeritus, Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III . The second stage is simply called Stage 2. It features a support building called Breezeway Production Building which contains dressing rooms, wardrobe, and storage areas. The two stages are currently being used by ABS-CBN Studios ( Dreamscape Entertainment and Star Creatives ) and ABS-CBN Films ( Star Cinema and Black Sheep ). The former produces serial content for linear television and on-demand streaming while
549-474: The 18th Congress of the Philippines , at least 12 house representatives and two senators filed their versions for a new network franchise. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano made assurances that Congress will tackle the franchise with fairness. On January 6, 2020, Albay representative Edcel Lagman filed House Resolution 639, urging the House Committee on Legislative Franchises for its immediate action on
610-770: The ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center , was also sequestered without compensation from the network's owners and was renamed as Broadcast Plaza to serve as headquarters of BBC, KBS/RPN, GTV/MBS and, from 1980, the Bureau of Broadcasts (BB). Moreover, copies of the old pre-Martial Law ABS-CBN shows had also been lost due to the raid by Marcos troops. Marcos was eventually deposed by the People Power Revolution of February 1986. The newly created revolutionary government agency Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) sequestered and later dissolved BBC and returned
671-549: The Department of Justice (DOJ). The Philippines is touted to have the "freest and liveliest press" in Asia, where media is considered a watchdog and a " fourth estate " helping to maintain the checks and balances of democratic governance. Despite this, the country is consistently ranked as one of the world's most dangerous countries for journalists. In May 2020, it slipped two spots down to 136th place (out of 180 countries) in
SECTION 10
#1732858623148732-710: The Martial Law dictatorship from 1972 until the regime's collapse in 1986. Critics of the Duterte government consider the NTC's cease-and-desist order and the denial of the franchise application as contributing to a growing democratic backsliding in the Philippines under the Duterte administration. As prescribed by the American Insular government-era Act No. 3846, or the Radio Control Act, which became effective in 1931 (later amended in 1963), broadcasting networks require
793-528: The Supreme Court of the Philippines to nullify as unconstitutional the cease-and-desist order, which the Court likewise refused to do. The resulting franchise expiration and withdrawal of its broadcast rights marked the first time ABS-CBN, considered a historical and cultural icon in the Philippines, had been off the air since the 1986 revolution , having been seized and liquidated by the authoritarian government of
854-521: The Supreme Court of the Philippines , seeking to nullify the NTC's cease and desist order on May 7, 2020. (See § Supreme Court case below.) The Senate and the House of the Representatives filed respective bills urging NTC to reconsider its order, as well as to abolish the agency itself. On May 8, 2020, TeleRadyo, resumed its regular programming airing the usual DZMM programming format. TeleRadyo
915-436: The negative political ads paid by then-vice presidential candidate Antonio Trillanes critical of his remarks on the campaign trail . On February 24, 2020, the network's president and chief executive officer Carlo López Katigbak apologized to Duterte for not airing his political advertisements during his 2016 polls. Duterte accepted the apology, leaving the franchise's renewal to Congress. ABS-CBN also offered to return
976-436: The "probable violations of ABS-CBN of its legislative franchise." In 2014 and 2015, ABS-CBN requested the 16th Congress to tackle the extension of its franchise early, although its renewal was not due until six years later, in 2020. Media sources in the legislature indicated that the network's 2016 initiative was the result of having been "particularly singled out" by supporters of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte because of
1037-579: The ABS-CBN productions and aired its entertainment, news and current affairs programming, along with movie blocks. However, because of the "double blow" of the network's temporary suspension of production of entertainment programs during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and free TV shutdown due to expired franchise, some of its programs no longer pushed through. On June 30, 2020,
1098-535: The Duterte administration came to power in 2016 – with the Philippine Daily Inquirer , news website Rappler , nonprofit media organizations like Vera Files and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism , and ABS-CBN being particular targets because of coverage critical of the administration. Many of these media watchdogs have issued statements placing the ABS-CBN broadcast stoppage in
1159-472: The Philippines' oldest and most influential media networks, run by the López family . The company generates about 50 to 60 percent of the group's total annual revenue, mainly from selling airtime of its television and radio properties to advertisers. The remaining revenue is generated from consumer sales through the distribution of cable and international channels, operations of over-the-top platform services, and
1220-404: The Philippines, seeking to stop Telecommunications Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba , House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano , and House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chairman Franz Alvarez from issuing ABS-CBN's provisional authority, saying the provisional authority to operate violates the doctrine of separation of powers. Sixteen days after the shutdown, Gadon announces that he is withdrawing
1281-643: The Secretary of the Department of National Defense , accused ABS-CBN and the Associated Broadcasting Corporation (now known as TV5 ) of delivering "deliberately slanted and overly exaggerated news stories and commentaries," of promoting the ends of the Communist Party of the Philippines , and of having been instrumental in an assassination attempt on Marcos. This stoppage lasted until September 14, 1986, when ABS-CBN returned to air resulting from
SECTION 20
#17328586231481342-653: The World Press Freedom Index. Media watchdogs such as Reporters Without Borders , the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility , Amnesty International , the Photojournalists' Center of the Philippines (PCP), Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), and the Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation (D&D) have noted that various forms of attacks against the press have increased since
1403-557: The allegations leveled against it. Within the same month, various congressmen urged the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to grant a provisional authority to ABS-CBN to continue operations after the lapse of its current franchise until Congress should have decided on its franchise application. Having consulted with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the NTC affirmed in March 2020 that it would "likely" issue
1464-414: The best practices in the world. The training, which involved 150 people, was designed by Manhattan Beach Studios, ABS-CBN Studios Inc., and ABS-CBN University. On December 12, 2018, ABS-CBN inaugurated the new state-of-the-art studio complex and its name, Horizon IT Park, was unveiled. This date is significant because it marks the 65th founding anniversary of ABS-CBN, 25th anniversary of Star Cinema , and
1525-448: The cable operations of Knowledge Channel , The Filipino Channel (TFC), TeleRadyo (later TeleRadyo Serbisyo ), and its sister cable channels (run by subsidiary Creative Programs including Metro Channel , which was named after Metro Magazines whose publisher is ABS-CBN Publishing ), as well as its online properties, and production companies Star Music and Star Cinema , were allowed to continue as their operations are not contingent on
1586-539: The company in Novaliches , Quezon City was the originally planned site for the complex but it would later be moved to a 7.7-hectare (19-acre) land in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan . Before the end of 2013, ABS-CBN announced it would raise ₱5 billion the following year to finance the construction. The project officially kicked off on the first quarter of 2014, but construction would not commence until May 2017. The first phase of
1647-435: The complex, designed by California-based architecture firm Bastien and Associates in collaboration with a Filipino firm AIDEA, includes two soundstages, each housing two stages and occupying an area of 1,500 m (16,000 sq ft). Parallel to the construction, production and support teams for TV and film started a three-year training to learn how to operate the sound stages and ensure that production processes mirror
1708-478: The construction of succeeding phases of the soundstage and the Horizon IT Park complex as a whole. While direct correlation cannot be established, the ambiguity comes following the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission , and the eventual denial of Philippine Congress to renew ABS-CBN's franchise which resulted to the shutdown of their flagship station and their secondary channels on free-to-air radio and television. Aside from
1769-471: The construction of the other soundstages. The area also includes parking spaces, storage, visitors center, offices and other facilities. The cost of the project is estimated to be between ₱ 6 and 7.5 billion . On June 16, 2011, ABS-CBN announced its plans to develop a state-of-the-art studio complex. It would, as they claim, enable the network to produce Hollywood -caliber programs in a more cost-effective manner. A 15-hectare (37-acre) property acquired by
1830-411: The context of systemic attacks against press freedom in the Philippines. Media groups and people's organizations denounced the shutdown order for being a loss of democracy, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press. Some groups also placed the matter in the context of attacks and harassment aimed at those that criticize the government. The ABS-CBN broadcast network is acknowledged to be one of
1891-402: The corporation's possible violation of its franchise. On June 1, 2020, Jeepney TV and Asianovela Channel resumed broadcasting on ABS-CBN TV Plus as temporary channel replacements for ABS-CBN and S+A, but both channels are still on free trial. On June 4, 2020, ABS-CBN announced on TV Patrol that a cable-and-satellite channel named Kapamilya Channel would launch on June 13, resuming
ABS-CBN Soundstage - Misplaced Pages Continue
1952-637: The country, including the main ABS-CBN Network , ten digital broadcast channels , 18 FM stations, and five AM stations. Following the news program TV Patrol , the network signed off the air at 7:52 pm ( PST ) . ABS-CBN executives Carlo Katigbak and Mark Lopez aired statements on the program appealing the NTC's cease and desist order. The newscast was also simulcast on DZMM, S+A, and MOR stations. DZMM radio and television counterpart signed off at 8:20 pm, following SRO: Suhestyon, Reaksyon at Opinyon and rebranded simply as TeleRadyo following
2013-546: The court does not deem it efficient. On May 3, 2020, Calida warned the NTC against granting the provisional authority to ABS-CBN, citing a Supreme Court decision in 2014, stating that provisional authority can only be granted after the franchise is secured in Congress. In the same statement, Calida cautioned that the agency would put itself at risk of prosecution under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act should they issue
2074-517: The franchise before its expiration date. The congressional franchise expired on May 4, 2020, while the Philippines was dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon . The next day, exercising constitutional powers, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease-and-desist order demanding ABS-CBN cease all of its free TV and radio broadcasting operations immediately. ABS-CBN complied with
2135-416: The franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. Opposition lawmakers, as well as labor groups, objected to Duterte's stand on ABS-CBN as the franchise non-renewal will compromise the employees of the network; stating that the blocking of the franchise renewal had no merit. Opposition groups have expressed their opinions that the non-renewal of the franchise violates press freedom. Duterte later changed his stance after
2196-546: The frequencies to ABS-CBN in September 7, 1986, eventually resuming broadcast on September 14, 1986. BIR , SEC clear ABS-CBN of violation allegations. Congress goes on recess. Bills for franchise renewal not passed. All the exclusive digital channels of ABS-CBN TV Plus ceased broadcasting. On December 12, 2012, there was a resolution asking the Committee on Legislative Franchises to inquire, in aid of legislation,
2257-401: The government order and shut down all of its radio stations and free television channels later that day. On June 30, 2020, the NTC released two alias cease-and-desist orders against ABS-CBN TV Plus and Sky Direct . For most of the 2010s decade starting from July 28, 2012 up until the early 2020s on September 10, 2020 (during the presidencies of Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte ),
2318-673: The government-owned National Media Production Center for the launch of Government Television as DWGT-TV in 1974) was awarded to the Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) owned by Marcos crony and sugar plantation owner Roberto Benedicto and was launched on November 4, 1973. Under martial law, BBC formed a de facto media monopoly with Kanlaon Broadcasting System/Radio Philippines Network (KBS/RPN), Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC, acquired in 1975), and government-owned Government Television/Maharlika Broadcasting System (GTV/MBS). The company's headquarters,
2379-493: The international press have labeled the refusal of Congress to renew the franchise as a result of Duterte's pressure for ABS-CBN to cease broadcasting and a direct attack on the country's democracy and press freedoms , although sources from the previous administration reported that there was lack of support for renewal because "Mr. Aquino’s allies felt the criticisms against the President were too personal and offensive and went to
2440-452: The lack of renewal of Philippine media network ABS-CBN's congressional broadcast franchise . The disputes between the administrations of Presidents Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte and the media conglomerate arose over the terms and conditions of the franchise renewal agreement. Amid the controversy, the Congress of the Philippines , the country's legislature, was unable to renew
2501-482: The latter mainly produces feature films for theatrical releases, with the exception of titles released during the COVID-19 Pandemic . Your Moment was the first program to utilize the soundstage, followed by Idol Philippines for which it was dubbed "Idol City." It was rumored that the soundstage would house the noontime variety show It's Showtime ; however, this never came to fruition and by July 25, 2022,
ABS-CBN Soundstage - Misplaced Pages Continue
2562-410: The legislative franchise. Along with the order, NTC gave ABS-CBN 10 days to explain why its assigned frequencies should not be recalled. In response on May 15, 2020, ABS-CBN reasoned that "it would be detrimental to the public interest as it would hamper the ability of ABS-CBN to immediately resume serving the public through its broadcasts, once the franchise is granted". Additionally, House Bill 6732
2623-469: The money spent for these advertisements, which Duterte declined, stating that the money should be donated to a charity instead. Meanwhile, Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez defended the controversial ad as well within Election Law, under "Partisan Political Activity". Throughout his term, which coincides with the 17th and 18th Congress, Duterte publicly reiterated that he would oppose
2684-533: The network had an eight-year controversy regarding the renewal of their broadcast franchise. In 2014, they applied the renewal through private bills that had been pending in the House of Representatives but had not been addressed by either the 16th , 17th , or 18th Congresses of the Philippines. Prominent figures in ABS-CBN Corporation , the political opposition in the Philippines, media advocacy groups, and
2745-407: The network's apology, stating that he would not interfere with the franchise renewal in Congress. However, Duterte did not say whether he would veto the bill or not. In November 2016, Nueva Ecija representative Micaela Violago filed House Bill 4349 in the 17th Congress to renew the network's franchise. The 17th Congress adjourned sine die with the bill never getting out of committee. During
2806-654: The new set of It's Showtime was revealed to still be at Studio 3 of the ABS-CBN Broadcast Center in Quezon City. Other notable programs that were taped at the ABS-CBN Soundstage include Darna and the international prison drama, Sellblock. The other soundstage which will also have two stages is believed to be still under construction, although no updates are made public. Its opening date remains unannounced as of 2021. The company remained mum with regard to
2867-505: The newscast and the digital television networks available on ABS-CBN TV Plus including Asianovela Channel , Movie Central , and the terrestrial operations of Jeepney TV , Myx , O Shopping , and Knowledge Channel also signed off. After the cease and desist order, Cine Mo! , Yey! , and the KBO remain unaffected (during the television premiere of The Mall, The Merrier on KBO channel from May 1–6, 2020). However, ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC),
2928-506: The perception that they "consistently showed him in a negative light". The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that a member of the House legislative franchise committee said ABS-CBN "did not want to risk going through the renewal under an 'unfriendly' administration". The Inquirer's source also said that the initiative "lacked support from President Benigno Aquino III's allies in the House" because they felt that ABS-CBN's criticisms against Aquino were "too personal and offensive and went to
2989-409: The petition was moot and academic as the franchise had already expired, therefore the Court would not be changing anything by voiding the franchise ab initio . However, the quo warranto petition filed against ABS-CBN Convergence Inc. for allegedly illegally operating KBO remains pending. On March 5, 2020, lawyer Larry Gadon filed a petition for prohibition before the Supreme Court of
3050-510: The petition which he filed, seeking to stop Cordoba, Cayetano, and Alvarez from issuing provisional authority, stating that was rendered moot and the act sought to be prevented no longer exists. On June 2, 2020, the Supreme Court of the Philippines dismissed the petition for the prohibition against Telecommunications Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba , House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, and House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chairman Franz Alvarez from issuing provisional authority, stating that
3111-419: The point of nitpicking". ABS-CBN eventually had to withdraw these franchise renewal initiatives due to time constraints. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attributed his objection to the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN to an election ad controversy during the campaign leading up to the 2016 Philippine presidential election . He said the network refused to air his 2016 presidential campaign ads and favored
SECTION 50
#17328586231483172-451: The point of nitpicking." Duterte's ruling coalition maintains a supermajority in both chambers of Congress , and Duterte criticized the ABS-CBN network for their allegedly biased and unfavorable news coverage against Duterte beginning with his presidential campaign in the 2016 Philippine presidential election , repeatedly voicing his opposition against the renewal of the network's congressional franchise. ABS-CBN subsequently appealed to
3233-471: The program from the leading network since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic programming changes. It was also simulcast on its news website, its Facebook and YouTube pages, as well as on The Filipino Channel to viewers outside the country. On May 8, 2020, the following day, TV Patrol began airing on Cine Mo! and returned on TeleRadyo . ABS-CBN Corporation filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition as well as temporary restraining order (TRO) to
3294-436: The provisional authority without a legal franchise being held by ABS-CBN's operating companies and that a 1991 DOJ opinion stating the NTC may issue provisional authority without a legal franchise was overturned by the Supreme Court. On May 5, 2020, Philippine House Committee on Legislative Franchises chairperson Franz Alvarez warned the NTC from backtracking. If they did, the NTC could be held in contempt for refusal to issue
3355-402: The recovery and return of the sequestered stations to the network. During those 13 years, use of the company's frequencies (except DZXL-AM 620, awarded to KBS/RPN as DWWW, DZMM-AM 1000, awarded to GMA (later Nation Broadcasting Corporation) as DWXX (now DZAR Sonshine Radio), DZMY-AM 1160 awarded to BBC as DWWA, DZQL-AM 830, awarded to Office of Civil Defense as DZCA , and DZXL-TV 4, awarded to
3416-410: The several bills lodged to the committee. At least 91 other representatives signed the resolution. On February 24, 2020, the Congress finally made its decision to tackle their franchise renewal. During a Senate hearing on the same day, public services panel chair Grace Poe stated they were to tackle ABS-CBN's compliance with the terms and conditions of its franchise. The conclusion was that there
3477-598: The soundstage, Horizon IT Park also features backlots, production and post-production facilities, and offices. San Jose del Monte Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.226 via cp1108 cp1108, Varnish XID 756643779 Upstream caches: cp1108 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Fri, 29 Nov 2024 05:37:03 GMT Cease and Desist Order of ABS-CBN The shutdown of ABS-CBN broadcasting arose from
3538-491: Was legally bound to order the shutdown of ABS-CBN and apologized to the House of Representatives for failing to notify it of the shutdown order. On the same day, NTC issued a cease and desist order to immediately close its free-to-air broadcasting operations, including its radio stations DZMM , S+A , and MOR Philippines , following the expiration of its broadcast franchise the day before. The cease and desist order covers 42 free television stations operated by ABS-CBN across
3599-737: Was no breach of laws or franchise terms. The following is a summary of the findings: On February 10, 2020, Solicitor General of the Philippines Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court of the Philippines seeking to revoke ABS-CBN's franchise and that of its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence over alleged breaches of its franchise, including operating its pay-per-view service Kapamilya Box Office (KBO), constitutional restriction on foreign ownership of mass media, and resorted to an ingenious corporate layering scheme, to transfer its subsidiary's franchise without Congressional approval. The network responded to disprove
3660-531: Was only a few days shy from the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the main ABS-CBN Broadcast Center in Quezon City which was considered the most advanced facility in Asia when it opened on December 18, 1968. Only the first of the two planned soundstages for Phase 1 was finished. This consequently became known as Phase 1A, with the remaining unfinished part being called Phase 1B. The first stage
3721-437: Was proposed by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on May 13, 2020, which would have granted the network a provisional franchise to operate until October 31. Subsequently, on May 27, 2020, NTC was told to refrain from carrying out the recall while the Congress deliberates on the measures to grant provisional franchise and a fresh franchise. On May 7, 2020, TV Patrol resumed broadcast on ABS-CBN News Channel , as it simulcast
SECTION 60
#1732858623148#147852