NTC gives Villar-led Advanced Media Broadcasting System provisional authority to operate Channel 16 and Channel 2

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Channel 2 frequency on free TV will no longer belong to ABS-CBN. It will soon be operated by the Villars. The Channel 2 frequency formerly under the ABS-CBN Corp. has been given by the National Telecommunications Commission (NYC) to the Villar-led Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. The NTC has confirmed that Villar's Advanced Media Broadcasting System has been given a provisional authority to operate Channel 16, and Channel 2 (temporarily until 2023).

It is unclear how exactly a 16-year-old application was revived, let alone be granted a PA over a highly controversial frequency. In 2020, AMBS struggled due to the pandemic. Villar group's Planet Cable came in. The transaction is subject to legislative approval.

In a September 2021 Senate hearing, Senator Grace Poe questioned AMBS what it intends to do in TV.

AMBS answered to "venture into 'TeleRadyo' type."

Poe: So news?

AMBS: It could be.. but more of music, which is the core mission of the station.

In the NTC order, it said that it sought the legal opinion of the DOJ and the Office of Executive Secretary. Villar's daughter-in-law Emmeline Aglipay-Villar is DOJ undersecretary.

In the middle of news about the elections—specifically, presidential debates and interviews—Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc., a Villar-linked company, has been granted a "test broadcast" permit to take over ABS-CBN's previous Channel 2 frequency. 

From Kapamilya to Kacamella. The Villars truly has got no delicadeza.

Interestingly, it must be noted that Villar's son, ex-DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, is a senatorial aspirant in the upcoming 2022 elections. 

The implications of this in the future reach far and wide. We will never know until then.

Channel 2 is Kapamilya no more. Sad but we have to remember that its the Kapamilya branding that sells. Audiences follow & look for relevant and progressive content, which iWantTFC and other streaming partners offer. 

Nakatatak sa pusot isipan namin na kapag channel 2 is ABS-CBN. Malungkot man ngayon. Alam ko na sa mga susunod na panahon, bibigyang-kasiyahan muli tayo ng ABS-CBN sa mga posible pang sorpresa.

This is not the first time that Channel 2 frequency was taken out from ABS-CBN. During the 70s, it was awarded to a Marcos crony to used for BBC 2. But despite of all those challenges in the past, ABS-CBN was still able to return years after. They can do it again. Just be patient.

Hindi man natin sila makikitang magbalik sa Channel 2, alam nating babalik ang ABS-CBN.

Mind you that all analog channels on free TV will be shut off soon. Note that AMBS’s assignment of Channel 2 is only until the PH analog shut off originally scheduled in 2023, after which all TV will switch to digital. 

Mawawala rin ang nakasanayan nating channel designations.

So even if Channel 2 frequency was given to its new owner, it will only last for a short period of time. There are lots of frequencies available in digital TV. There are still more space for ABS-CBN return.

Kaya hindi parin panalo si Villar khit nakuha nya yung frequencies ngayon. Baka makipag blocktime pa si Villar sa ABS-CBN kung mangyari yun. 18 months lang naman pinahiram kay Villar yung frequencies.

But the deadline of the analog shutoff might be pushed back much later, esp. following the shutdown of ABS-CBN, which was one of the biggest proponents of digital TV in the Philippines with its TVPlus.

Originally 2015 dapat naka migrate na sa digital ang TV sa Pilipinas, pero dahil hindi pa handa ang lahat, nausog ito sa 2019 at ang huling deadline na inilabas ay 2023.

Pero gaya ng dati, posibleng mausog pa ito dahil titingnan pa rin ang kahandaan ng mga TV networks.

As far as streaming services, iwantTFC has also expanded, and they have even partnered with VIU. I do not think that they have any desire in the near future to apply for a new franchise.

Perhaps they've already settled with the reality that their direction now is towards content creation. 

Oligarchs replaced by oligarchs. ABS has already adapted well to the digital content creation and production landscape. Their blocktime agreements with TV5 and A2Z seemingly suffice for free TV.

ABS-CBN may no longer have the Channel 2. But it's not the frequency that matters and what makes it best; it's the network, the management, the programs, the staffs and the artists that makes it.

Hey Manny Villar, do you really think that even if you already have the Channel 2 frequency you will get the same strong support of the people that ABS-CBN had enjoyed for the past decades until now. You will never be like ABS-CBN. 

Channel 2 will never be the same anymore. I'm so dissappointed to NTC sobrang unfair. And to AMBS (Villar-affiliated channel), hindi kayo magtatagal. 

Iba man ang mag may-ari ngayon, iba pa rin ang Kapamilya.

I'll just move on and say that I was once an avid watcher of Channel 2 wayback 2000s. End of story.

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