The “It’s Showtime” family led by Vice Ganda celebrated yesterday ABS-CBN’s historic partnership with TV5 that also received support from a private think tank group that says the deal will not reduce or limit competition.
According to Infrawatch PH convenor Terry Ridon in an interview with The Philippine Star, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) doesn’t have ‘any basis to strike the deal.’
“We don’t see any basis for PCC to strike the deal, as this does not involve a transaction which will reduce or limit competition. In fact, when ABS-CBN lost its franchise in 2020, it ceased to be the dominant player in the broadcast segment. TV5 has not yet attained that dominant status in the same sector,” he said.
Ridon added that the deal does not meet the P50 billion threshold too for PCC’s compulsory review.
“However, given the size of the transaction and entities involved, they may opt to undertake the voluntary review with the PCC. This is not compulsory though, as the transaction does not meet the current P50 billion threshold for compulsory review,” he explained.
Even stock market analysts in the country welcome the partnership. Manny Ocampo, president of the Investment and Capital Corporation of the Philippines said the deal is something positive for both media entities.
“I believe it should be positive (for both ABS-CBN and the MVP Group invested in TV5). Two things here going with this deal – we are giving consumers (TV audience) choices, and advertisers too,” Manny said in a statement to TV Patrol.
RCBC Securities head of Research Erwin Fuentes also noted that the deal is a “win-win situation.”
“The deal will be synergistic as TV5 will provide a platform for ABS-CBN’s production content and talent management, which should be a win-win situation for both companies,” he said.
The good news was well received by netizens. On “It’s Showtime,” Vice Ganda congratulated ABS-CBN and TV5.
“Itodo na natin ang happiness dahil sa magandang balitang ito, mga Kapamilya at Kapatid. Kumapit kayo. Congratulations to ABS-CBN and TV5 sa bagong partnership deal! Napakagandang balita sa lahat ng mga Kapamilya, sa lahat ng mga Kapatid, sa lahat ng mga empleyado. Tuloy-tuloy ang pagtutulungan ng ABS-CBN at TV5 para itodo ang pagbibigay-saya sa mga manonood dahil sa partnership deal ng dalawang kompanya,” she said.