Where can you get ABS-CBN TVplus?

MANILA – ABS-CBN Corp. will be officially launching its digital terrestrial television (DTT) service on Wednesday to enhance the viewing experience of Filipino households.

Chinky Alcedo, head of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) for ABS-CBN Corp., said the ABS-CBN TVplus—also known as “The Mahiwagang Black Box”—will be offering free-to-air digital channels including ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Sports and Action and four exclusive channels: dzMM Teleradyo, Yey, Knowledge Channel, and CineMo.

Those who wish to order the digital box may send an SMS to 23661, or call the hotlines 488-8888 in Metro Manila or 1-800-10488-8888 outside Metro Manila.

ABS-CBN provides free delivery in areas covered by frequency availability.

These areas are Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Benguet, and Metro Cebu.

The box can also be purchased in selected appliance, hardware and IT stores including SM Appliance Center, 2GO Express, Solid Service Center, VillMan Computers, and Silicon Valley.

It can also be ordered online through the website www.abs-cbnstore.com.

The ABS-CBN TVplus is offered at a one-time payment price of P2,500 with no monthly fee.

Alcedo, however, warned that since its release, there have been cases reported of online vendors selling the service for more than the retail price.

“Hindi naman ‘yun ang presyo ng service na ito. Kaya din nagmamadali kami na i-announce din ito na ‘yung price ay talagang P2,500 para mawala na ‘yung ibang gustong mag take ng opportunity,” she told dzMM.

A TVplus box also comes with an ABS-CBN Mobile prepaid SIM card with a prepaid credits worth P50.

Alcedo said ABS-CBN Mobile subscribers may avail of promos and may view program schedules via SMS.

She added that ABS-CBN TVplus is targeting to reach 1 million homes in 2015.

“Out of 17 million households, 14 million diyan ay walang cable at nangangailangan ng serbisyong tulad nito,” she said.

A ceremonial switch-on event will be held on Wednesday afternoon, to be led by ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III and ABS-CBN president and chief executive Charo Santos-Concio.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lopez: ABS-CBN not for sale

ABS-CBN Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III on Thursday said there are are no talks to sell the company, amid speculation that Globe Telecom is eyeing the media conglomerate.

In a press briefing after a special stockholders' meeting, Lopez said ABS-CBN is in talks with Globe and other companies about a potential partnership.

"The discussions with Globe is part of overall discussions with various members of the industry. At this point in time, there is nothing concrete to report wth regards to any discussions we're having," he said.

"The question is whether ABS-CBN is willing to sell, and the answer is no."

Globe is in talks to take over another company under the Lopez group, Bayan Telecommunications.

ABS-CBN held a stockholders' meeting on Thursday morning for the approval of the conversion of some common shares into preferred shares.

ABS-CBN assistant corporate secretary Enrique Quiason said the move is meant to give the company flexibility in raising capital.

He didn't link it to the SEC's draft rules on foreign ownership limits, which apply to media companies like ABS-CBN.

Quiason said ABS-CBN is trying to forge a common position with other groups on foreign ownership limits.

"We're talking with MAP and FINEX to give a common position on that. On the ownership, I think the rules mention the depository receipt program. The first draft of the rules seem to allow that kind of program," he said.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN reported its 9-month net income stood at P1.555 billion.

The figure is 31% lower than P2.24 billion a year ago, which included a one-time gain from the sale of SkyCable PDRs. Excluding the effect of the one-time gain of P825 million, net income would have been up by 10%.

ABS-CBN's consolidated revenues improved by 13% year-on-year to P24.017 billion. Advertising revenues, which accounted for 60% of revenues, rose 8% to P14.46 billion as the network continued to dominate ratings and saw higher revenues from its sports division and cable channels.

Consumer sales, which accounted for 40% of revenues, jumped 21% to P9.52 billion on the back of SkyCable's growth. - With ANC

source: abs-cbnnews.com