Manila Bulletin: Five new premium channels on free-to-air TV to be launched

MANILA, Philippines -- Future of TV: Not far away from now, either this year or next, TV viewing in the Philippines will change drastically with the introduction of digital TV.

More options will be granted televiewers, better reception is promised, resulting in more crisp, clearer visuals and greater enjoyment.

The future of television looks bright and clear as ABS-CBN is ready to launch five new premium channels on free-to-air TV via Digital Television (DTV), a high-tech standard that uses digital signals for broadcast.

Says the company release: “DTV occupies lesser space in the frequency so that a single TV station can broadcast on more than one channel, giving viewers more programs options.”

Five new channels: The new channels that ABS-CBN will unveil will cater to different audiences. They include two channels for kids, a channel for the youth, a channel for dads and a channel for moms.

DTV also produces better picture and sound compared to the prevailing analog system. The digital TV viewing experience is comparable to seeing a movie on DVD. This spells more excitement for the viewers.

Thus, climactic moments like the bus explosion in “Mula sa Puso” or the kidnap scene in “Mara Clara” become more heart-pounding when seen on DTV. Musical numbers on “ASAP XV” are captured in more colorful detail. News on “TV Patrol” is delivered in crispier sound.

According to Miguel Mercado, ABS-CBN DTV Head of Marketing, viewers need not wait long because ABS-CBN is ready to launch DTV operations within the year. He said the company is just waiting for the final go-signal from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

“With Philippine broadcasting companies going digital, the viewing public will be able to enjoy digital quality viewing in any TV as DTV addresses the issues of poor reception, grainy pictures and choppy audio,” says Mercado.

Upon the purchase of an affordably priced DTV Digibox to be connected to the television set, viewers will be able to enjoy the five new channels for free, in addition to all existing channels broadcasting in digital. By the time ABS-CBN DTV is launched, this list will include Channel 2, Studio 23, GEM TV and NBN.

TV industry go digital: ABS-CBN expects other broadcasters to follow suit since the NTC has directed the local television industry to make a complete transition to digital by 2015. NTC’s mandate will certainly benefit the general public as it puts the Philippines at par with international standards.

DTV is the system followed in the US, Japan, Australia, South Korea and most of Europe.

ABS-CBN, says Mercado, has been preparing for the switchover since 2007. Recently, the network conducted DTV trials in more than 1,000 households all over the Philippines. Participants responded very positively.

A 37-year-old dad said, “Mas malinaw at maraming pagpipiliang channels. Mas masaya kaming manonood ng pamilya ko.” A 26-year-old female employee said, “Mas malinaw ang picture at sound,” while a 67-year-old grandmother replied, “Mas maraming channels na puwedeng panooran na siguradong ikatutuwa ng buong pamilya.”

Moreover, the viewers expressed willingness to buy the DTV Digibox (which costs only as much as a DVD player) so that they could get the new channels for free. As one mother cited, “Wala nang monthly fee. One time ang pagbabayad. Magugustuhan ng anak ko.”- Nestor Cuartero, dated 7 April 2011, 12:27 PM.

Source: Manila Bulletin