Solon submits for ABS-CBN Franchise

Cagayan de Oro City representative Rufus Rodriguez has filed a bill to give ABS-CBN Corporation a new 25-year legislative franchise. 

“It has to be a new grant and no longer a renewal, since the radio-tv station’s franchise already expired midnight of last May 4,” he said.

He also filed a joint resolution for Congress to provide the media company a provisional license that will last up to 2022, while congress deliberates on the longer-term bill. 

Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo voiced her opposition to the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) cease and desist order against ABS-CBN’s TV and radio broadcasts. 

In a statement released late Tuesday, Robredo said the order costs lives since ABS-CBN is part of the dissemination of information that is essential in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.. 

ABS-CBN meanwhile announced that some of its media operations on other channels may continue to operate. 

ABS-CBN's Internet video streaming service and app, iWant, may continue to deliver content to users. iWant is available on Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store, and can be accessed through the iwant.tv website.

The company’s news, entertainment and sports websites can continue to operate. 

Other Internet channels such as Youtube and Facebook channels may continue as well. The ABS-CBN Entertainment Youtube channel currently has over 27 million subscribers, while ABS-CBN News on Youtube has over 9 million subscribers. On Facebook, ABS-CBN has over 23 million followers, while ABS-CBN News has over 19 million followers. 

ANC, or the ABS-CBN News Channel, can also continue broadcasting on cable as the NTC order does not cover it. 

Star Cinema is also not covered by the NTC's cease and desist order.