If Congress Will Grant a New Franchise, ABS-CBN Will Fully Support

ABS-CBN expressed gratefulness and support to members of the House of Representatives who discussed in a committee briefing last Wednesday, February 5, the prospect of granting a broadcasting franchise to the media company.

ABS-CBN chief partnership officer Bobby Barreiro said that the opportunity would give the company a chance to reach former audiences whom they lost due to the absence of franchise and provide more choices in the market.

“The biggest loss has been our ability to reach our former audiences and the farthest and poorest corners of the country. If restoring our franchise allows us to reach them again and provide more options to all viewers, and if Congress feels this is a worthwhile objective, we would fully support the achievement of this shared ambition,” stated Barreiro at the briefing done by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.

Amid changing landscape on consuming content, he also acknowledged that free TV is still the most practical way to reach more Filipino viewers.

He said, “While we want to reach our audiences anytime, anywhere, and in any medium or device, we know that for many Filipinos, the most practical and pervasive platform is still free-to-air television,”

The Kapamilya network however said that regardless whether the Congress decides to pursue the grant of franchise or not, it will continue with its mission as a storytelling company.

“However Congress decides, ABS-CBN will remain committed to continuing to transform lives by telling meaningful stories, being a catalyst of love of country, and promoting human good. It is this mission that keeps us going day in and day out, fueling our passions in storytelling and service now and in the future,” stressed Barreiro.

Five years since ABS-CBN lost its franchise, the company has ventured into partnerships with TV networks and streaming platforms to share its produced content.