One of the country’s top sports channels shut down its operations, Tuesday evening.
ABS-CBN S+A (Sports and Action) went off air, together with its mother channel ABS-CBN, after an order by the National Telecommunications Commission.
“Millions of Filipinos will lose their source of news and entertainment when ABS-CBN is ordered to go off-air on TV and radio tonight when people need crucial and timely information as the nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic,” read ABS-CBN’s statement.
“This in compliance with the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) today that prohibits ABS-CBN from continuing its broadcast operations effective immediately.”
ABS-CBN S+A airs top collegiate leagues UAAP and NCAA. Other properties of the channel are ONE Championship, MPBL, PVL, and ABL among others.
Also going black at around 7:30 PM were DZMM TeleRadyo, Knowledge Channel, O Shopping, Asianovela Channel, Movie Central, Jeepney TV, and MYX.
Still up are CineMo, Yey!, and ANC.
ABS-CBN’s web portals, including sports.abs-cbn.com, will also remain online.
The network’s application renewal has been pending in Congress for quite some time now. Congress has asked the NTC to grant ABS-CBN a temporary license to continue but the solicitor-general has denied the request, saying that if the commission does so, it will be put on trial for graft.
The only remaining all-sports local channel on air after this will be One Sports.
https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/abs-cbn-sa-goes-off-air/184066
Tuesday, May 05, 2020
ABS-CBN set to comply with NTC order to shut down
A Philippine government agency has ordered the country's leading broadcast network, which the president has targeted for its critical news coverage, to halt operations.
The National Telecommunications Commission ordered ABS-CBN Corp. to stop operations after its 25-year congressional franchise ended Monday.
The network's application for a renewal has been pending in Congress. Congressional leaders have asked the commission to grant it a temporary license to continue operations while its renewal request is pending, but the government's solicitor general has said it cannot operate without an approved franchise.
Media watchdogs have accused President Rodrigo Duterte of trying to muzzle critical independent media, but government officials said the network must comply with the law.
The broadcasting giant is expected to comply with the directive.
“Millions of Filipinos will lose their source of news and entertainment when ABS-CBN is ordered to go off-air on TV and radio tonight (5 May 2020) when people need crucial and timely information as the nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic,” the company said in a statement.
“This in compliance with the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) today that prohibits ABS-CBN from continuing its broadcast operations effective immediately,” the statement added.
https://www.spin.ph/life/guide/abs-cbn-shutdown-ntc-franchise-expired-a994-a1931-20200505
The National Telecommunications Commission ordered ABS-CBN Corp. to stop operations after its 25-year congressional franchise ended Monday.
The network's application for a renewal has been pending in Congress. Congressional leaders have asked the commission to grant it a temporary license to continue operations while its renewal request is pending, but the government's solicitor general has said it cannot operate without an approved franchise.
Media watchdogs have accused President Rodrigo Duterte of trying to muzzle critical independent media, but government officials said the network must comply with the law.
The broadcasting giant is expected to comply with the directive.
“Millions of Filipinos will lose their source of news and entertainment when ABS-CBN is ordered to go off-air on TV and radio tonight (5 May 2020) when people need crucial and timely information as the nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic,” the company said in a statement.
“This in compliance with the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) today that prohibits ABS-CBN from continuing its broadcast operations effective immediately,” the statement added.
https://www.spin.ph/life/guide/abs-cbn-shutdown-ntc-franchise-expired-a994-a1931-20200505
Several scenarios possible for UAAP Season 83, including January start
UAAP stakeholders believe that the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic will affect the hosting of Season 83, after it already forced the cancellation of the rest of Season 82.
Season 82 was officially canceled on April 7, after the Philippine government extended the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag explained on 2OT that they had to end Season 82 by May 31, so that it would not affect the holding of Season 83.
"By canceling Season 82, the Board felt that it gives more wiggle room for Season 83," he said. "Rather than, dalawang missed season. Pinilit mo 'yung Season 82, apektado pa 'yung Season 83."
"So, sabi namin, we'd rather lose the battle in order to win the war," he added.
Given the current situation regarding COVID-19 in the Philippines, Saguisag admits that Season 83 will still be affected by the pandemic. As it stands, sports events are still considered among the mass gatherings barred under the guidelines of the General Community Quarantine, and gyms and fitness facilities are still not allowed to open as well.
Saguisag noted that if the UAAP is to open in September, then teams will have to be in training by July.
"We know, medyo long shot ata 'yan," he admits.
"So, we're actually open to the idea na maybe, baka January mag-start," he revealed. "We're already building different scenarios. Baka hindi lahat ng events, ma-accommodate for next season. So we really do not know."
Further complicating the situation is that the universities themselves have yet to make a definite decision on how they will go about the next academic year.
"Kung ang classes mo mismo, physical classes, masu-suspend, much more siguro ang sporting events," said Saguisag. "High risk, and there are very grave consequences na we have to consider. Mahirap isugal."
Another issue that cropped up was that of eligibility. Most athletes playing second semester sports such as volleyball and football only saw action in a couple of games; some didn't even get to play as the UAAP was canceled before their event could start.
Saguisag said the league is open to extending the eligibility of the second semester athletes, but again, there are several issues that they have to consider.
"It makes sense naman," he said. "It makes sense, if one or two games, or worse 'yung events na hindi natuloy, like baseball, bakit mo naman ika-count 'yan as a playing year, kung hindi naman natuloy."
"The bigger question, and I think the bigger issue that should be answered is what happens to the age requirement," he added. "And yan ang hindi pa namin masasagot as we speak. 'Yan ang medyo thorny issue or more interesting question."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/03/20/several-scenarios-possible-for-uaap-season-83-including-january-start
Season 82 was officially canceled on April 7, after the Philippine government extended the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag explained on 2OT that they had to end Season 82 by May 31, so that it would not affect the holding of Season 83.
"By canceling Season 82, the Board felt that it gives more wiggle room for Season 83," he said. "Rather than, dalawang missed season. Pinilit mo 'yung Season 82, apektado pa 'yung Season 83."
"So, sabi namin, we'd rather lose the battle in order to win the war," he added.
Given the current situation regarding COVID-19 in the Philippines, Saguisag admits that Season 83 will still be affected by the pandemic. As it stands, sports events are still considered among the mass gatherings barred under the guidelines of the General Community Quarantine, and gyms and fitness facilities are still not allowed to open as well.
Saguisag noted that if the UAAP is to open in September, then teams will have to be in training by July.
"We know, medyo long shot ata 'yan," he admits.
"So, we're actually open to the idea na maybe, baka January mag-start," he revealed. "We're already building different scenarios. Baka hindi lahat ng events, ma-accommodate for next season. So we really do not know."
Further complicating the situation is that the universities themselves have yet to make a definite decision on how they will go about the next academic year.
"Kung ang classes mo mismo, physical classes, masu-suspend, much more siguro ang sporting events," said Saguisag. "High risk, and there are very grave consequences na we have to consider. Mahirap isugal."
Another issue that cropped up was that of eligibility. Most athletes playing second semester sports such as volleyball and football only saw action in a couple of games; some didn't even get to play as the UAAP was canceled before their event could start.
Saguisag said the league is open to extending the eligibility of the second semester athletes, but again, there are several issues that they have to consider.
"It makes sense naman," he said. "It makes sense, if one or two games, or worse 'yung events na hindi natuloy, like baseball, bakit mo naman ika-count 'yan as a playing year, kung hindi naman natuloy."
"The bigger question, and I think the bigger issue that should be answered is what happens to the age requirement," he added. "And yan ang hindi pa namin masasagot as we speak. 'Yan ang medyo thorny issue or more interesting question."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/03/20/several-scenarios-possible-for-uaap-season-83-including-january-start
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