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ABS-CBN

Type	Terrestrial television network
Branding	The Kapamilya Network (Kapamilya is a Filipino term for a family member)
Country	Philippines
Availability	Nationwide
Founded	October 23, 1953; 70 years ago (1953-10-23) by James Lindenberg, Antonio Quirino, Eugenio Lopez, Sr., and Fernando Lopez
TV stations	List of TV stations
Market share	37.58% (Nielsen National Urban TAM January–August 2016)[1]
Headquarters	ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center, Diliman, Quezon City
Owner	ABS-CBN Corporation
Key people	Carlo Katigbak (President and CEO)
Launch date	October 23, 1953 (initial) September 14, 1986 (post-People Power Revolution)
Dissolved	September 23, 1972 (martial law) May 5, 2020 (legislative franchise lapsed)
Former names	Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) Chronicle Broadcasting Network (CBN)
Picture format	480i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV)
Sister network	S+A
International channel	The Filipino Channel
Official website	www.abs-cbn.com
Language	Filipino (main) English (secondary)

ABS-CBN (an initialism of the network's former names, Alto Broadcasting System - Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Philippine free-to-air television network that is the flagship property of ABS-CBN Corporation, a company under the Lopez Group. The network is headquartered at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center in Quezon City, with additional offices and production facilities in 25 major cities including Baguio, Naga, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, and Davao. ABS-CBN is formally referred to as "The Kapamilya Network"; kapamilya is a Filipino term which means a member of a family. This was originally introduced in 1999 and was officially introduced in 2003 during the celebration of its 50th anniversary. It is the largest television network in the country in terms of revenues, assets, and international coverage.

ABS-CBN is the oldest television broadcaster in Southeast Asia and one of the oldest commercial television broadcasters in Asia. It is also the leading television network in the Philippines with advertising revenues of 21.2 billion pesos for the fiscal year of 2015.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} ABS-CBN's first ever television broadcast was on October 23, 1953, as Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) on DZAQ-TV, just 3 months after the first broadcast of Japan's NHK General TV and Nippon Television. It is also the first television network in Southeast Asia to broadcast in color, the first television network in the Philippines to formally launch a digital terrestrial television service, and the first broadcast television network in the Philippines to formally launch in high-definition.

Today, the flagship television station of ABS-CBN is DWWX-TV (ABS-CBN TV-2 Manila). The network operates across the Philippine archipelago through the ABS-CBN Regional division which controls 80 television stations.^[2][7] Its programs are also available outside the Philippines through the global subscription television channel The Filipino Channel (TFC) which is now available in over three million paying households worldwide as well as terrestrially in Guam through KEQI-LP. Since 2011, the network is on test broadcast for digital terrestrial television using the Japanese standard ISDB-T in select areas in the Philippines. On October 3, 2015, ABS-CBN started to broadcast in high-definition through its affiliate direct-to-home cable and satellite television providers.

The network was issued a cease and desist order by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on May 5, 2020 after the NTC refused to renew ABS-CBN's franchise license earlier in February 2020. After meeting controversy and public outcry over the initial NTC refusal, ABS-CBN was initially allowed to operate under a temporary license, with support from both senate and congress. Investigations by various government offices showed that the company had no deficiencies or issues. There are allegations that the NTC refusal over the renewal of the franchise was based on the network's critical news coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. The franchise license was set to expire on May 4, 2020. A day later, ABS-CBN officially signed off in the evening.^[8][9] This is the second time the network went off-air since the declaration of martial law by the dictator and then-President Ferdinand Marcos in September 23, 1972.^[10][11]

ABS-CBN traces its history to the first Philippine television station DZAQ-TV, owned by Bolinao Electronics Corporation (BEC) which was later renamed Alto Broadcasting System (ABS).^{[citation needed]}

James Lindenberg, the owner of BEC, was the first to apply for a license to the Philippine Congress to establish a television station in 1949. His request was granted on June 14, 1950, under Republic Act No. 511. Because of the strict import controls and the lack of raw materials needed to open a TV station in the Philippines during the mid-20th century, Lindenberg branched to radio broadcasting instead.^[12]

Judge Antonio Quirino, brother of former President Elpidio Quirino, also tried to apply for a license to Congress, but was denied. He later purchased stocks from BEC and subsequently consummated the controlling stock to rename the company from BEC to Alto Broadcasting System (ABS).

DZAQ-TV began commercial television operations on October 23, 1953; the first fully licensed commercial television station in the Philippines. The first program to air was a garden party at the Quirino residence in Sitio Alto, San Juan. After the premiere telecast, the station followed a four-hour-a-day schedule, from six to ten in the evening.^[12]

In 1955, Manila Chronicle owner Eugenio Lopez, Sr. and former Vice President Fernando Lopez, acquired a radio-TV franchise from the Congress and immediately established Chronicle Broadcasting Network (CBN) in 1956, which initially focused only on radio broadcasting. On February 24, 1957, Lopez invited Judge Quirino to his house for breakfast and ABS was bought under a contract written on a table napkin. The corporate name was reverted to Bolinao Electronics Corporation immediately after the purchase of ABS.^[12]

With the establishment of DZXL-TV 9 of CBN in April 19 (or July^[13]), 1958,^[12] the Lopez brothers controlled both television channels in the archipelago, culminating in the first wave of expansion. The monopoly in television was broken in 1960, when DZTV-TV 13 was established by the Inter-Island Broadcasting Corporation (now Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation) (IBC), owned by Dick Baldwin.^{[citation needed]} In 1961, BEC launched the nation's first regional and provincial television station in Cebu City.^[12] In the same year, BEC merged ABS and CBN to form the ABS-CBN network, a brand name that would become official in a few years.^{[citation needed]}

In 1966, ABS-CBN became the first TV network to broadcast certain shows in color by using the American NTSC standard^{[citation needed]} and by December 18, 1968, ABS-CBN opened its present-day Broadcast Center complex in Bohol Avenue, Quezon City, moving from its Roxas Boulevard studios that was opened in 1958.^{[citation needed]} It was among the most advanced broadcasting facility of its kind in Asia. Full-color broadcasts began in 1971 (8 hours a day) on ABS-CBN 2 with the availability of more color television sets around Manila and neighboring municipalities and cities.^[12]

In 1967, the company was renamed ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. This company became the formal merger of the two stations DZAQ-TV 3 (ABS) and DZXL-TV 9 (CBN).^{[citation needed]}

In 1969, DZAQ-TV transferred to channel 2 (which remains as the current positioning frequency of the flagship station in Metro Manila), while its sister station DZXL-TV transferred to channel 4. This frequency adjustment was done to make room for Kanlaon Broadcasting System or KBS (now Radio Philippines Network) to occupy the channel 9 frequency.^{[citation needed]} ABS-CBN also sold its headquarters and studios in Roxas Boulevard to KBS.^{[citation needed]}

When then-President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972, the station was forced, along with its regional stations and other television networks to shut down, with the company was seized from the Lopez brothers.^[10] Its newly built headquarters was renamed as the "Broadcast Plaza", and it became the home of the three TV stations that were controlled by the Marcos regime. The first TV station that took over the facility was the Kanlaon Broadcasting System or KBS-9 (later renamed as Radio Philippines Network or RPN-9 in 1975), after its headquarters and studios at Roxas Boulevard (which ironically previously used by ABS-CBN before moving to Broadcast Center and sold to KBS-9) was destroyed by fire in 1973. KBS-9 was owned by Marcos crony Roberto Benedicto and was the only TV network that was never shut down by the government in the wake of martial law declaration. In 1974, Benedicto-owned Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation or BBC-2, with call sign changed to DWWX-TV, and the state-run Government Television or GTV-4 (later renamed as Maharlika Broadcasting System or MBS-4), with call sign changed to DWGT-TV, soon also took over the Broadcast Plaza. Both TV stations were previously used by ABS-CBN during the pre-Martial Law era. BBC and RPN were relocated to the Broadcast City compound in Old Balara, Quezon City (along with then-sister station Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation or IBC) in 1978.^[12]

As the People Power Revolution (commonly known as EDSA Revolution) broke out in the eighties, and Marcos' grip on power debilitated, the reformists in the military contended the broadcasting network would be a vital asset for victory. Thus, at 10 AM on February 24, 1986, they attacked and took the ABS-CBN Broadcast Center that was then the home of MBS-4 ^[12] and the long hibernation of the station ended in March.

When Marcos was deposed, the network was sequestered and returned Channel 2 to the Lopezes but not Channel 4. On September 14, 1986, ABS-CBN went back on the air, broadcasting from what used to be their main garage at the revived Broadcast Center in the pre-Martial Law days. The network was forced to share space in the building that was rightfully their own with the government TV station Channel 4. At the time, money had been scarce while resources were limited; offices were used as dressing rooms and other equipment such as chairs, tables, and phones were in short supply.^[12]

In late 1986, the network was faltering, ranking last among the five stations in the Philippines and was suffering heavy losses. Eugenio "Geny" Lopez Jr. by early 1987 brought in programming whiz and ABS-CBN veteran Freddie Garcia, then working for GMA Network, and set him loose to work his magic touch.^{[citation needed]}

Six months later on March 1, 1987, Channel 2 was relaunched with the live musical special, "The Star Network: Ang Pagbabalik Ng Bituin" (The Return of the Star), and produced a slew of new locally produced programs that composed 85% of its programming lineup then. The relaunch successfully gave the station a boost in the ratings, and by 1988, ABS-CBN became the Philippines' number one TV network, a position it has maintained ever since.^{[citation needed]}

Later that year, the station launched nationwide domestic satellite programming and by 1994, expanded its operations worldwide. In 1999, Channel 2 launched its 120-kilowatt Millennium Transmitter, resulting in improved signal quality throughout Mega Manila.^{[citation needed]}

In 2005, ABS-CBN re-upgraded its transmitter into a very high capacity of 346.2 kilowatts resulting in a much clearer signal in Metro Manila.^{[citation needed]}

During the historic presidential election, in response to the first automation of the election in the country, ABS-CBN utilized a technology from Orad Hi Tech Systems Ltd. that utilizes the principles of augmented reality.^[14] The technology uses real-time image processing system for live broadcasts of 3D computer-generated imagery against a real set or background. ABS-CBN also utilized what is probably the biggest touch screen display to be used in a Philippine television show. A new set dubbed as the "WAR" (Wireless Audience Response) room was specifically designed for the said election coverage.^[15] The coverage of ABS-CBN became the third top trending topic worldwide on the social networking site Twitter.^[16][17]

In 2016, coinciding with the presidential elections, ABS-CBN officially launched its 24-hour broadcasting service, starting with the marathon coverage of Halalan 2016.^{[citation needed]}

In 2018, ABS CBN won 30 awards during the 16th Gawad Tanglaw awards and also won 34 awards during the 32nd Star Awards for Television for their good TV programs and personalities.^[18][19]

Also in December of the same year, ABS-CBN inaugurated its new state-of-the-art sound stages studio complex called Horizon IT Park located at San Jose del Monte, Bulacan which is on par with Hollywood standards. The Phase 1 of the project includes its first two sound stages each sized of 1,500 square meters, with the first stage is named for its chairman emeritus, Eugenio Lopez III who visioned of the new studios, The EL3 Stage. The complex also includes backlots, facilities for its production and post-production, and offices. The studios will be used for its upcoming teleserye The Faithful Wife and its reality singing competition show, Idol Philippines, using the name as "Idol City".^{[20][21][22][23]}

On March 10, 2020, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that had recently spread across the country, President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of state of public health emergency and the World Health Organization's declaration as a pandemic, ABS-CBN announced that will temporary suspending their studio audience tapings for all of its shows, including the former's Magandang Buhay, It's Showtime, ASAP Natin 'To, Banana Sundae and the second season of I Can See Your Voice. The suspensions are for the safety and well-being of the artists, crew, and production teams. The aforementioned shows will continue to air in production without a studio audience as a precautionary measure.^[24]

On March 15, 2020, ABS-CBN temporary suspended production on teleseries and live entertainment shows as Metro Manila was put under a community quarantine or partial lockdown, with their episodes that were scheduled to be completed. Among of the primetime shows were affected including Pamilya Ko, FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, Make It with You and A Soldier's Heart, which will be on hold from the schedule beginning March 16 until May 2020.^[25][26] The network aired reruns of some teleseryes and other programs including 100 Days to Heaven, May Bukas Pa, On the Wings of Love, The Legal Wife, Got to Believe, Walang Hanggan, Wildflower, Wansapanataym, iWant Originals Series, Tubig at Langis, Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids, Pilipinas Got Talent, Bayani, Hiraya Manawari and Sine'skwela.

On May 5, 2020, National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order against the network forcing it to cease operations for all of its physical broadcasting channels.^[27] It went off-air at exactly 7:52 PM (PST).^[28] The last words broadcast before the sign off were thanking their viewers for watching over the years to their homes, into saying this: “Hanggang sa muli, Kapamilya (Until then, Kapamilya.).”^{[citation needed]}

ABS-CBN Regional (formerly Regional Network Group) is the regional network division of ABS-CBN. It is responsible for simultaneously airing most of the shows seen on ABS-CBN's flagship station in the provinces, all stations (Cebu, Bacolod and Davao) were reopened 16 years ago in 1988 after the network's hibernation due to Martial law in September 1972 aside from Manila's flagship station, which reopened after the People Power Revolution in September 1986. ABS-CBN Regional has several stations in each region outside Mega Manila to ensure nationwide coverage. The local stations also produce their own newscasts which air prior to TV Patrol and other local programming which air on Sundays. The launch of the local game show Kapamilya Winner Ka! (now renamed as Kapamilya, Mas Winner Ka!) in the Visayas and Mindanao, Bagong Morning Kapamilya in North Luzon (Baguio and Dagupan), the 17th local TV Patrol in Southern Tagalog (Region IV-A), and the 18th local TV Patrol in Palawan (IV-B; the network had an affiliate station), provided more relevance to regional audiences.^[29] On April 15, 2011, RNG launched ChoosePhilippines, a new website aimed to promote tourism in the Philippines by sharing photos and stories of the most extravagant places, culture, and arts of the Philippine island.^[30]

Since July 2018, to align with Manila's digitization of operations, the network imposed a series of cost-cutting measures to ABS-CBN Regional.^{[citation needed]} The move forced most of its weekend programming to get axed, including shows like Kapamilya, Mas Winner Ka!, Mag TV Na, and Agri Tayo Dito. Alongside merging of some TV Patrol newscasts within the same timetable, originating stations in Santiago City, Butuan, Cotabato, Laoag and Pampanga were closed down. While Pampanga was downgraded as a direct relay of channel 2 Manila alongside local advertisements and short news bulletins throughout the day until May 2019, the rest of the affected stations and its associated transmitters became relays of their relevant stations in Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, and General Santos. The network's Dagupan and North Central Luzon stations became North Luzon sub-opts, retaining separate breakfast shows (until November 2) and local advertising.^[31] The network, however, managed to expand Tacloban operations in October by expanding its local TV Patrol service to the entire Eastern Visayas region.^{[citation needed]}

The majority of the programs shown on the network are created by ABS-CBN Corporation's Entertainment division. ABS-CBN Entertainment Group is responsible for original programs ranging from musical and variety shows, showbiz, lifestyle, comedy talk shows, comedy, gag shows, and sitcoms. Original and adapted telenovelas and drama anthologies are produced by Dreamscape, Star Creatives and other production drama units created by ABS-CBN, while news, public service, and documentary programs are produced by ABS-CBN News and by other independent production outfits. ABS-CBN also acquires and syndicates program formats from abroad, most of which are reality shows. ABS-CBN also shows regional programs, TV specials, sporting and awarding events.

ABS-CBN Corporation initially applied for a license from the National Telecommunications Commission to operate a digital terrestrial television service in the country back in 2007.^[32] ABS-CBN planned to utilize multiplex to offer ABS-CBN, S+A, and 5 additional specialty TV channels. The conglomerate is expected to spend at least 1 billion pesos annually for the next 5 years for its DTT transition.^[33] ABS-CBN utilized UHF channel 51 Manila (695.143 MHz), later UHF Channel 43 (647.143 MHz), for test broadcasts in the DVB-T format. ABS-CBN was expected to begin digital test broadcasts in January 2009.^[32][34]

In June 2010, the NTC announced that it would formally adopt the Japanese standard ISDB-T for digital broadcasting and issued a circular commanding all the country's television networks to switch-off their analog services on December 31, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8).^[35] But due to delay of the release of the implementing rules and regulations for digital television broadcast, the target date was moved to 2023.^[36]

In April 2011, the conglomerate announced further details about its DTT plans, which would offer ABS-CBN and Studio 23 (currently S+A). In addition, four new channels which will be exclusively available to its digital users will be offered once the digital broadcast start. The specialty TV channel line-up will include one news channel, one youth-oriented channel, an educational channel, and a movie channel. The conglomerate is also planning to utilize the 1seg (one segment) broadcast standard for handheld devices.^{[37][38][39][40]}

In September 2014, ABS-CBN soft-launched its DTT service started selling ISDB-T receivers in selected barangays in Metro Manila under Sky TV+ brand. Later, it was rebranded as ABS-CBN TVplus.^[41]

On February 11, 2015, ABS-CBN formally launched its DTT service under the name ABS-CBN TVplus in a formal switch-over ceremony held at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center. The ABS-CBN TVplus service has four exclusive TV channels which are free of charge; these are movie channel Cine Mo!, news channel DZMM TeleRadyo, educational channel Knowledge Channel, and kids channel Yey!. In addition to ABS-CBN and S+A, all non-encrypted digital terrestrial broadcast within the area is also carried by the service. ABS-CBN TVplus also provides pay per view, EWBS, and BML services. As of December 2017, ABS-CBN TVplus has sold over 4 million units of its set-top boxes.^[42]

In 2007, ABS-CBN produced the first ever Filipino TV series to be shot in high-definition. This was Rounin, a science fiction, fantasy series created by Erik Matti. This was followed by Budoy in 2011. Prior to this, big-budget series like Esperanza, Mula sa Puso, Pangako Sa 'Yo, and Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay were shot in 16mm film with a 4:3 aspect ratios while low budget series, on the other hand, were shot in smaller formats. Beginning with Be Careful With My Heart in 2012, all of ABS-CBN's TV series were all produced in high-definition format. Ningning is the first Filipino TV series to be broadcast in HD on October 5, 2015, while Maalaala Mo Kaya is the first mini-series to do so the day before. On the other hand, the first ever locally produced live entertainment program to be broadcast in HD is the musical variety show ASAP on October 4, 2015.

On April 19, 2009, Sony announced the acquisition of ABS-CBN of 24 units of its Sony high-definition professional video cameras through a press release published on Sony's official website.^[43] On July 11, 2009, ABS-CBN launched a high definition feed of Balls (now S+A HD) in SkyCable under the name Balls HD, the first local high-definition TV channel in the history of Philippine television. On the same day, Balls HD broadcast the first locally produced coverage of an event in high-definition, the UAAP Season 72 basketball game which was produced by ABS-CBN Sports.^[44][45] In addition, two of its three news helicopters are capable of transmitting high-definition live feeds from its 5 axis gimbal HD camera mounted on the aircraft.^[46]

On April 20, 2010, Ikegami, a Japanese manufacturer of professional and broadcast television equipment announced the acquisition of ABS-CBN of 75 units of Ikegami high-definition professional video cameras for electronic newsgathering.^[47]

On October 3, 2015, ABS-CBN launched a high-definition feed in SkyCable and Destiny Cable under the name ABS-CBN HD. This marked the Philippines' first commercial television network to be launched in high-definition. The said channel will broadcast selected shows of ABS-CBN in a true high-definition picture while the remaining shows will be broadcast in upscaled standard definition picture with pillarbox to preserve its original 4:3 aspect ratio.^[48] ABS-CBN HD was also made available on Sky Direct, iWant, and Sky On Demand.

In 2007, in preparation for digital and high-definition television broadcasting, ABS-CBN acquired server and post production technologies developed by EVS Broadcast Equipment, making ABS-CBN the first broadcaster in Southeast Asia to go tapeless.^[45] EVS provided ABS-CBN a 100 percent digital and non-linear editing system and post-production workflow as well as wireless access through a media access management system servers installed in outside broadcasting van. This will be integrated to technologies developed by Avid Technology,^[49][50] Snell, and Ruckus Wireless.^[51]

ABS-CBN started digitizing its film and television contents in 2004.^{[52][dead link]} In 2003, ABS-CBN started the migration of the station from a tape-based playout to a tapeless system with the first 4 channels using SeaChange International servers and Etere Automation and Etere Media Asset Management.^{[citation needed]} Further expansions both locally and globally started in 2008 with the integration of its playlist import. In 2010, ABS-CBN started to replace SeaChange International servers with Harmonic Inc. and Etere managing a multi-server, multi-channel system; they also started the HD playout using the Channel in a box technology of Etere MTX.^[53]

In 2007, ABS-CBN acquired a Media Asset Management System (MAMS) from IBM Corporation for a cost of 4 million US dollars.^[54] The IBM MAMS includes a hardware infrastructure support and 2 petabytes (2000 terabytes) of data storage that is expected to grow by 36 percent over the next few years as ABS-CBN is already generating over 700 hours of contents a month.^[55] The MAMS will be integrated to the million dollar Dalet Digital Media Systems^[56] and Avid Unity ISIS (Infinitely Scalable Intelligent Storage)^{[52][dead link]} that will enable ABS-CBN to digitize and store its over 200,000 hours of television contents and its library of over 2000 films.^[54] The digitization of ABS-CBN's films. in particular, includes a digital audio and video restoration and remastering process in 1080p full high-definition pixel resolution in either 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios.^{[citation needed]} As of 2016, ABS-CBN Film Archives, in partnership with Central Digital Lab, Inc., has digitized, restored, and remastered over 100 films which includes classics such as Himala, Oro, Plata, Mata, and Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?.^[57] The film processed are made available on wide array of platforms which include free-to-air and cable television, pay per view, DVDs, and limited theatrical screenings.^{[citation needed]}

Since its inception from 1953 until 1960, ABS (Alto Broadcasting System) and CBN (Chronicle Broadcasting Network) were the only commercial television channels in the country. It was only until the 1960s that television became common and at that time, although audience measurement has not yet invented, ABS-CBN was favored by giant companies such as Procter and Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, Unilever, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo and Caltex. ABS-CBN was the only Philippine television network to air commercials and was only the advertising partner of Colgate-Palmolive products until 2015, when other networks returned to air the Colgate-Palmolive commercials such as rival GMA Network.^{[citation needed]} When the martial law was declared, ABS-CBN and other television networks (except Radio Philippines Network, then as Kanlaon Broadcasting System or KBS) were forced to shut-down and held control by the Government. When it was re-established in 1986 as a commercial television, it had failed to regain its glory days and was ranked behind among the five television networks.^{[citation needed]} It was not until 1987, when it was re-branded as "The Star Network" that it had slowly regained its foothold in TV ratings.^{[citation needed]} In 1992, AGB Nielsen Philippines was founded and a new pace in television history was introduced. In 2007, TNS Philippines started to offer media research through Kantar Media Philippines (formerly Kantar/TNS). In 2008, AGB Nielsen Philippines released the all-time highest rating shows in the Philippines, with 7 of the top 10 highest rating shows all from ABS-CBN with the shows like The Battle: Pacquiao vs. Morales, Rosalinda, Esperanza, Meteor Garden, Pangako Sa 'Yo, Miss Universe 1994, and Maria Mercedes.^[58] At the turn of the first decade of the century, competition was up against its closest competitor GMA Network and 5.^{[citation needed]} Moreover, the data released by AGB Nielsen show the Mega Manila data, which favors GMA in the Mega Manila ratings while Kantar Media releases the Total Philippines ratings (National Urban and Rural Households), which favors ABS-CBN.^{[citation needed][improper synthesis?]}

Throughout the years, ABS-CBN has been involved in several controversies and scandals involving its talents, employees, and programs.

Two major incidents involving ABS-CBN have involved the networks' variety show Wowowee. Demand for tickets to a one-year anniversary episode of the show at the PhilSports Arena in 2006 caused a deadly stampede killing 76 people.^[59] Over a year later in August 2007, the show became entrenched in another scandal involving the possibility of a new game on the show being rigged as evident by a "mechanical glitch" which occurred during an episode,^[60] which grew greater after Eat Bulaga! host Joey de Leon and Wowowee host Willie Revillame started exchanging attacks on-air against each other during their respective and competing shows.^[61] The incident later led to a probe by the Department of Trade and Industry led by senator Mar Roxas (which was jokingly suggested by Joey during a speech he made on Eat Bulaga! in reference to the Hello Garci scandal, dubbing it "Hello Pappy").^[62]

In late 2007, ABS-CBN accused AGB Nielsen Philippines of tampering with the ratings during their 2007 ratings surveys.^[63][64] On January 8, 2008, Quezon City regional trial court (RTC) junked ABS-CBN's case against AGB Nielsen, saying it was prematurely filed.

On January 22, 2008, Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) supported the petition for writ of amparo filed by the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation's 11 employees (led by Ces Oreña-Drilon) with the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of journalists' arrests concerning the failed Manila Peninsula rebellion. It stated: "We support employees from ABS-CBN in standing up for their democratic rights to work free from harassment and intimidation, especially from government officials and authorities." Meanwhile, the Supreme Court required the respondents to file comment to the amparo petition within 10 days. Further, Harry Roque, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)'s lawyer announced its filing of a class lawsuit for injunction with damages (Article 33, New Civil Code of the Philippines) against the Philippine National Police, among others.

ABS-CBN demanded 127 million pesos from their former reality show star, Willie Revillame, citing copyright infringement due to stark similarities in Revillame's show, Willing Willie, and ABS-CBN's Wowowee.^[65] ABS-CBN listed 5 acts of plagiarism allegedly committed by Willing Willie in their complaint as follows:^[65]

1. Willing Willie's opening song and dance number was similar to that of Wowowee's^[65]
2. “BIGA-Ten” and “Big Time Ka,” both segments from the shows involved, bear similar names.^[65]
3. “Willie of Fortune” and “Willtime Bigtime” are segments from both shows which resemble each other.^[65] ABS-CBN claimed that Willtime Bigtime resembled its show as it also showcases contestants relaying their personal stories before proceeding to play a singing/trivia game.^[65]
4. April “Congratulations” Gustilo is one of several backup dancers from Wowowee who also appear in Willing Willie.^[65]
5. Other striking similarities ABS-CBN claimed are found in Willing Willie's set design, stage, studio viewers' seats lay-out, lighting angles and camera angles.^[65]

A 25-page ruling later on dated May 22, 2015 junked the case against Revillame, declaring it moot.^[65] After the Quezon City RTC demanded a 400 million peso bond from Revillame to answer any further damage the network might sustain, it was later discharged.^[65] Revillame signed a contract with GMA network two days prior to the ruling, to work on a new show entitled, Wowowin.^[65]

Since April 2017, ABS-CBN came under fire by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte due to airing various news reports that are critical to his administration, as well as other claims, including one that the network refused to air his 2016 presidential campaign ads in favor of an advertisement paid from by-then vice presidential candidate Antonio Trillanes criticizing him for his remarks on the campaign trail.^[66] However, according to the country's Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez, the controversial ad was well within Election Law, under "Partisan Political Activity"^[67][68] Henceforth, Duterte publicly stated that he will oppose the 25-year franchise renewal of ABS-CBN; former Laguna governor E.R. Ejercito wholeheartedly supported Duterte's plan.^[69][70] Opposition lawmakers as well as labor groups objected to Duterte's stand on ABS-CBN as the franchise non-renewal will compromise the employees of the network; stating that the blocking of the franchise renewal had no merit. Opposition groups also claimed that the non-renewal of the franchise violates press freedom.

Under Philippine law, broadcasting networks requires a congressional franchise (Republic Act) to operate television and radio stations for 25 years; absence of one will lead to suspension of such operations. ABS-CBN's current franchise, which was approved by virtue of Republic Act No. 7966 (granted last March 30, 1995), is set to expire on March 30, 2020, however it will expire on May 4, 2020, because the franchise will effective to 15 days after granting the franchise.^[71] At least 12 lawmakers has filed their own versions for a new franchise of the network. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has made assurance that the Congress will tackle the franchise with fairness.^[72]

On February 24, 2020, the CEO of the network apologized to President Rodrigo Duterte for not airing his political advertisements during his 2016 polls, and the Congress finally made its decision to tackle their franchise renewal.^[73]

During a Senate Hearing on the same day, public services panel chair Grace Poe stated they were to tackle ABS-CBN's compliance with the terms and conditions of its franchise. The conclusion was that there was no breach of laws or franchise terms. The following is a summary of the findings:

1. The Bureau of Internal Revenue stated that ABS-CBN had fully complied with the tax requirements of the government. Sir Cabantac Jr., BIR Large Taxpayers Service head stated that the company had paid P14.298 billion from 2016 to 2019. In 2019, ABS-CBN also setteled P152.44 million in tax payments with the BIR.^[74]
2. The Department of Labor and Employment cleared the media giant for its compliance with general labor standards, occupational safety and health, and security of tenure. Former ABS-CBN corporate services head Mark Nepomuceno said they also have contributed to mandatory employee benefits such as SSS, Phil-Health, PAG-IBIG. He also stated that ABS-CBN was no longer practicing end-of-contract scheme, as well as giving benefits to independent contributors varying per contract negotiation^[74]
3. Telecommunications Commissioner General Gamaliel Cordoba stated that franchise laws cover “commercial purposes”, including pay-per-view service. Section 1 of Republic Act 7908, which allows ABS-CBN Covergence’s broadcast operations, states that: “It is hereby granted a franchise to construct, operate, and maintain, for commercial purposes.” Even though ABS-CBN introduced the service without NTC guidelines yet, the fine for such violation is a measly P200. Senate President Recto stated that the NTC can just impose a fine on ABS-CBN rather than shutdown.^[74]
4. Securities and Exchange Commission Commissioner Ephyro Amatong clarified that a legal interpretation from 1999 stated that Philippine Depository Receipts were not equivalent to certificates of ownership, which may have evolved in recent years. Senator Poe pointed out that companies should be notified of any changes in the legal interpretation of the investment instrument, as all media companies have to be 100% Filipino-owned. Issuing PDRs is a common practice among Philippine media outfits—including Rappler and GMA. The SEC has not yet conducted a review whether there are violations in ABS-CBN’s PDRs, with Amatong saying he "would rather not make a categorical statement at this time" as to whether there are violations in ABS-CBN’s PDRs, given the pending case at the Supreme Court, as of May 6, 2020.^[74]

On May 5, 2020, the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist order to temporarily stop the network's broadcast, including its radio stations DZMM and MOR, following the expiration of its broadcast franchise the day before.^[75][76] The cease and desist order covers 42 television stations operated by ABS-CBN across the country, including Channel 2, 10 digital broadcast channels, 18 FM stations, and 5 AM stations.^[77]

The network subsequently signed off following the airing of news program TV Patrol. ABS-CBN was also given 10 days for its explanation on why its assigned frequencies should not be recalled.^[78]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to ABS-CBN.

• Media Ownership Monitor Philippines - Television by VERA Files and Reporters Without Borders