Philippine Government Ordered Sky Cable and ABS-CBN TVPlus To Cease Operation

National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issues cease and desist order against Sky Cable’s Direct Broadcast Satellite Service despite over a thousand new COVID positive recorded today. The DOH has also reported that there were 277 new recoveries, and 11 new deaths today due to COVID-19, bringing the total number to 10,233 and 1,266 respectively.

In a tweet posted by ABSCBN reporter Jacque Manabat, the cease and desist order against Sky Cable’s Direct Broadcast Satellite Service also includes refund all its impacted subscribers.

In a tweet by Alvin Elchico, NTC also directs ABS-CBN Corp. to immediately cease and desist from operating digital TV transmission in Metro Manila using Channel 43.

NTC also directs ABS-CBN Corp. to immediately cease and desist from operating digital TV transmission in Metro Manila using Channel 43. | via @alvinelchico pic.twitter.com/DTeLZt0MnH

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) June 30, 2020

Channel 43 includes TVPlus channels like Teleradyo, Yey, Cine MO!, channel KBO. Last 2016, ABSCBN TVplus Wins STEVIE AWARDS at Int’l Business Awards. It is widely considered as the BIGGEST INNOVATION IN PHILIPPINE TELEVISION!

Reposting an explanation from Nandy Villar, Integrated Marketing Head of ABS-CBN:

This is a slightly technical matter but I will explain it as simply as I can.

Many people have asked me how ABS-CBN is able to continue broadcasting its channels on TV Plus. It is because these channels are airing through a frequency whose franchise has not expired, is not covered by the Ch2 cease and desist order, and is not owned by ABS-CBN. That is Channel 43, which is assigned to AMCARA Corp. It is not owned and is not part of ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN buys airtime from AMCARA in order to continue airing its TV Plus channels. It’s the same type of arrangement called “blocktime” between Eat Bulaga and GMA. Eat Bulaga is produced by TAPE, Inc and not GMA/Channel 7. TAPE is a “block timer” of GMA-7. Similarly, ABS-CBN as a producer of shows is a blocktimer of AMCARA. I need to point out that producing a show and broadcasting are two different activities. The former doesn’t require a franchise. Anyone can produce a show and buy airtime from a broadcaster that has a franchise to broadcast.

Sometime last year, President Rodrigo Duterte issued a statement addressing ABSCBN that he will see to it that you are out.