A month after the cease and desist order that prompted its shutdown, ABS-CBN announces that it won’t be waiting for the approval of their franchise renewal to get back in the game. In a press release published yesterday, Jun. 4, the network revealed that it will be returning to cable and satellite TV with the launch of Kapamilya Channel on Jun. 13.
Kapamilya Channel will be available on SKY, Cablelink, G Sat and most member-cable operators of the Philippine Cable Television Association (PCTA). Not only will it be airing new episodes of staples such as “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” it will also be premiering new shows.
Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo will be on “Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan” on Saturdays while Angel Locsin is the host for the Sunday program “Iba ‘Yan.” We have yet to get more details other than how both will be spotlighting the stories of real people. K-drama fans also have something to look forward to with the airing of Korean series “The World of a Married Couple” on Jun. 15.
Th press release comes three days after the latest House joint panel hearing on the network’s franchise renewal where ABS-CBN President and Chief Executive Officer Carlo Katigbak concluded his statement with, “May nagsabi po kanina that ABS-CBN deceived many when we said we are ‘in the service of the Filipino.’ I believe there are many voices who will speak out and assert that our service to them has been genuine and real. Sana ang taong-bayan na lang po ang magsasabi kung ang serbisyo namin ay naging tunay at makahulugan sa kanila.”
On Wednesday, Jun. 3, Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo was pushing for a new 25-year operating franchise but with a strong set of regulations. National Union of Journalists of the Philippines president Nonoy Espina rebuked this, saying that, “(Salo) practically wants to dictate the company’s operations. This is not just legally questionable. It is downright silly.”
It seems that while ABS-CBN is set on standing its ground in proving they’ve been operating by the book, it will still be playing it smart. Watch the teaser for the new channel below.
Photo screengrabbed from the Kapamilya Channel teaser video
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