What Are The Options Left For ABS-CBN? Buy Block Airtime Says Ridon
OPTIONS FOR ABS-CBN – Amids the threats of President Rodrigo Duterte, the Kapamilya Network is left with two choices according to Kabataan Infrawatch PH lead convenor Terry Ridon.
According to Ridon, ABS-CBN could sell their stocks or buy block airtime from their rival network, TV 5. However, Ridon believes that the latter would be the best choice.
Ridon, a former member of the Kabataan party-list, stated that buying block airtime is a viable option. Based on statements from Manny V. Pangilinan, the Metro-Pacific run TV 5 could offer such a deal with ABS-CBN.
According to a report from Manila Bulletin, Ridon stated that TV 5 could offer ABS-CBN time slots that they don’t need. He added that selling the franchise would still need congressional approval.
However, that could still be a toss-up. This means that selling the franchise may or may not be given approval.
As per the article, Pangilinan said, “Setting aside politics, if they want to block time, we are prepared to talk.”
The Kapamilya Network’s hopes for a franchise renewal were doused in flames of doubt after President Duterte announced that ABS-CBN should start considering selling the network.
The President’s announcement followed after senior members of the House of Representatives declared their support for the approval of the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.
Along with this, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano had also declared that the House Committee on Legislative Franchises could now begin the hearings for the bills proposing the approval of the extension.
However, President Duterte had been very vocal about his opposition towards the pending bills. He accused ABS-CBN of being biased against him during the Presidential elections of 2016.
He also accused ABS-CBN of estafa after they allegedly accepted payments for advertisement spots for his campaign without them ever being aired. But, ABS-CBN had denied the accusations.
Like this article? READ ALSO: Kris Aquino Reacts To Closing Issues Of Former Network, ABS-CBN