Cable TV group slams ABS-CBN for doing this regarding franchise issue
FRANCHISE ISSUE – Federation of International Cable TV Associations of the Philippines (FICTAP), an association of cable television operators in the country criticized media company ABS-CBN for allegedly taking a “shortcut” in the approval of its franchise.
Amid this issue several prominent personalities both in showbiz and in politics have expressed their opinions. Just recently, a cable TV group also aired their side regarding this issue.
According to FICTAP chair Estrellita Juliano-Tamano, the process of franchise approvals usually takes five to six years, based on the report from GMA News Online.
“Bakit sila ABS-CBN gusto nilang mag-shortcut? Kami, six years sa NTC para lang magkaroon ng lisensya ang operators. Tapos sila shortcut lang?” Tamano stressed out during a recent press conference.
Reportedly, the FICTAP opposed the ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal during the 16th Congress in 2014i n a committee hearing due to the inclusion of multiple channels in the application of a single franchise.
Tamano added that there should be only one channel to one franchise. It was said that the media company used the term “channels” in its application and not “channel”.
Reportedly, the House committee did not approve the franchise at that time. Because of this, another hearing for this issue was set. However, this thing never happened, according to Tamano.
“Noong 16th Congress, noong nag-oppose kami sa franchise renewal, hindi umimik. Bakit noong 17th Congress hindi nila ginawa ang assignment nila? Bakit ngayong 18th Congress sila nag-refile at tsaka sasabihin nila na wala nang panahon, sasabihin nila na March 31 nang March 31,” she said.
The FICTAP chair also stressed out that ABS-CBN was licensed for its franchise’s test broadcast. With this, the company could not offer pay-per-view services because it is a free TV, based on the report.
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