One of the Philippines’ biggest broadcasting networks is no longer a network but a “content creator” instead.
ABS-CBN’s head of TV Production Laurenti Diyogi made this distinction of how the company operates in a March 10 interview.
“For now, you need to understand that we’re not a network anymore. We don’t have a franchise,” the exec said.
The network was shut down in 2020 after its franchise wasn’t renewed by Congress under the Rodrigo Duterte administration. In May of that year, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease-and-desist order against the company’s broadcast, taking ABS-CBN off the air.
However, the company continued to create shows and broadcast news, streaming on different platforms like YouTube, Facebook, iWantTV, and more.
“We’re a media company, we’re a content creator now. So wherever we can bring our content with the biggest reach, and we have to recognize that GMA has the biggest reach right now, and they’re the no. 1 station,” Dyogi said.
“We’ve been struggling for the past three years, but awa ng Diyos, nandito pa rin po kami. Our mindset right now is really collaboration because we will be honest, we cannot do it on our own. It’s very difficult to do it on our own.”
In April 2022, it was announced that GMA will begin airing Star Cinema movies from former rival network ABS-CBN. Early in 2023, the two companies shared the news of their historic first collaboration, an upcoming teleserye titled Unbreak My Heart starring Kapamilya stars Jodi Sta. Maria and Joshua Garcia with Kapuso stars Richard Yap and Gabbi Garcia.
Dyogi also told members of the press that ABS-CBN plans to bring its content globally, whether it’s through Netflix, Viu, or Amazon Prime video. “Kapag nagbukas ang pinto sa atin, ginagawan natin ng paraan na makatrabaho sila.”
