Global broadcasting icon BBC turns 100

LONDON — Global media giant the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) celebrates turning 100 on Tuesday with one eye on its illustrious past and another on its uncertain future.

Over a century, the BBC has established itself as one of Britain's most visible and respected global brands, delivering its original mission statement to "inform, educate and entertain".

The broadcaster reaches an audience of 492 million around the world every week, according to the corporation's 2021-2022 annual report.

BBC World Service broadcasts in 41 languages to about 364 million people a week globally.

"For a century, the BBC has been a beacon of trusted news and programming across the world, as well as being part of the fabric of the UK and one of its key institutions," BBC director-general Tim Davie said of the landmark.

"It has been a story of a devotion to public service and constant reinvention -- which those in the BBC today remain utterly committed to," he added.

For nearly 7 million people, each day starts with BBC Radio 4's flagship "Today" program, which often sets the political agenda.

At weekends, "Strictly Come Dancing", which pairs celebrities with professional ballroom dancers, has had viewers glued to their sets for 20 years and is the most talked-about television program on air.

BBC series such as "Peaky Blinders", "Fleabag" and "Killing Eve" have been exported around the world.

But the centenary comes at a time of uncertainty, with drastic budget cuts and changing viewing habits driven by the digital revolution raising questions about its future.

The government in January announced it would freeze the BBC's license-fee funding model for two years, raising fears it could be scrapped in future.

The annual charge for households with a television set is currently set at £159 (around P10,6000). 

The financial situation has been accompanied by an exodus of younger audiences towards streaming and on-demand platforms, prompting questions about why they should still pay for the BBC.

But BBC chairman Richard Sharp vowed that the broadcaster would "educate and entertain for another century."

"The BBC is one hundred today -- it's a time to celebrate, but also to embrace the future," said Sharp.

"I believe its best days are ahead. We have always innovated, changed and adapted," he added.

"By continuing to put the public first, we will continue to inform, educate and entertain for another century."

Agence France-Presse 

ABS-CBN shares on trading halt after regulator forces sign off

MANILA -- Shares of ABS-CBN Corp were placed on trading halt on Wednesday, after the Philippines' telecommunications regulator ordered it to sign off.

The National Telecommunications Commission issued a "cease and desist" order against ABS-CBN despite a request from lawmakers to grant the company provisional authority to operate beyond the expiry of its franchise on May 4 as they need more time to deliberate on its renewal.

"I think it was fair also to have a halt, otherwise it could spiral down because of uncertainty and that could also be bad for investors," BDO Capital President Ed Francisco told ANC's Market Edge.

"I still think there’s great intrinsic value in that and I’m hopeful it will be, Congress will fix it and they’ll get their temporary license or even a permanent franchise soon," he said.

The broadcast shutdown order also came as ABS-CBN sustained its broadcast and public service works, raising up to P300 million, to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns.

The NTC order covers 42 ABS-CBN television stations, including the flagship Channel 2, 10 digital broadcast channels, 18 FM stations and 5 AM stations, including DZMM radio.

"We trust that the government will decide on our franchise with the best interest of the Filipino people in mind, recognizing ABS-CBN’s role and efforts in providing the latest news and information during these challenging times," the company said.

"ABS-CBN remains committed to being in the service of the Filipino and we will find ways to continue providing meaningful service to them," it said.

ABS-CBN signed off past 7 p.m. Tuesday, at the end of its flagship newscast, TV Patrol. It will continue streaming programs on its websites and on its official Facebook and YouTube channels. Cable channels will also continue operating.

news.abs-cbn.com

In red, green, blue: De La Salle University shows support for ABS-CBN

MANILA - De La Salle University on Tuesday showed support to ABS-CBN Corp., hours after the broadcast giant was ordered by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to shut down its TV and radio operations.

In Facebook and Twitters posts, the facade of the university's Manila campus is seen lighted up in red, green and blue, which are the signature colors of ABS-CBN.

"In solidarity with ABS-CBN, its employees, and the millions of Filipinos who depend on the broadcast network for news and information, De La Salle University lights up the iconic St. La Salle Hall in the colors of the company to appeal to the National Telecommunications Commission to grant provisional authority for the continued operation of the network," it said.


The NTC earlier in the day ordered ABS-CBN to “cease and desist” its TV and radio broadcast operations, one day after the company’s 25-year operating franchise expired.

The agency said the network must stop its broadcast operations "due to the expiration of its congressional franchise" on May 4. 

It said the network should "stop operating its various TV and radio broadcasting stations nationwide 'absent a valid Congressional Franchise as required by law'."

ABS-CBN Corp., which employs around 11,000 workers, was given 10 days from receipt of the order "to respond as to why the frequencies assigned to it should not be recalled."

ABS-CBN Corp. stopped its broadcast operations Tuesday night in compliance with the NTC order.

In a statement, the country's largest media network cited how the order was issued despite earlier legislative resolutions assuring the issuance of a provisional authority pending the renewal of its broadcast license. 

Several bills for the renewal of its franchise, which lapsed Monday, are pending at the House of Representatives. 

The NTC order covers 42 television stations across the country, including the flagship Channel 2, 10 digital broadcast channels, 18 FM stations and 5 AM stations, including DZMM radio. 

news.abs-cbn.com

LOOK: ABS-CBN workers watch before Channel 2 goes off the air

MANILA - Looks of worry and disbelief were etched on faces of people working in the ABS-CBN newsroom on Tuesday night, especially those who have been with the company for a long time.

Earlier in the day, the Philippines' telecommunication agency ordered ABS-CBN to stop its TV and radio operations, shortly after the company’s 25-year operating franchise expired.

ABS-CBN CEO and President Carlo L. Katigbak watches TV Patrol and ABS-CBN following the cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission stopping the network to continue broadcasting on air. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

ABS-CBN CEO and President Carlo L. Katigbak watches TV Patrol and ABS-CBN following the cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission stopping the network to continue broadcasting on air. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

Chief Operating Officer of Broadcast for ABS-CBN Cory Vidanes watches TV Patrol and ABS-CBN following the cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission stopping the network to continue broadcasting on air. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs chief Regina E. Reyes reacts during the broadcast of TV Patrol and ABS-CBN following the cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission for the network to stop broadcasting on air. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

ABS-CBN News workers watch TV Patrol and ABS-CBN following the cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission stopping the network to continue broadcasting on air. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

TV Patrol executive producer Marielle Gaceta-Catbagan watches her program and ABS-CBN following the cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission stopping the network to continue broadcasting on air. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

ABS-CBN News workers watch TV Patrol and ABS-CBN following the cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission stopping the network to continue broadcasting on air. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

An ABS-CBN News worker watches TV Patrol and ABS-CBN following the cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission stopping the network to continue broadcasting on air. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

ABS-CBN News workers watch TV Patrol and ABS-CBN following the cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission stopping the network to continue broadcasting on air. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

The National Telecommunications Commission on Tuesday ordered ABS-CBN to stop its broadcast operations "due to the expiration of its congressional franchise" on May 4. 

The NTC said the network should "stop operating its various TV and radio broadcasting stations nationwide 'absent a valid Congressional Franchise as required by law'."

ABS-CBN Corp., which employs around 11,000 workers, stopped its broadcast operations in compliance with the order.

In a statement, the broadcast giant said the order was issued despite earlier legislative resolutions assuring the issuance of a provisional authority pending the renewal of its broadcast license. 

Several bills for the renewal of its franchise, which lapsed Monday, are pending at the House of Representatives. 

news.abs-cbn.com

CNN offices evacuated after bomb threat, says network

NEW YORK - CNN's New York offices were evacuated Thursday night after a bomb threat, the network said, recalling a similar evacuation in October after an explosive device was discovered.

Fire alarm bells rang inside the newsroom to signal an evacuation shortly after 10:30 pm, CNN said on its website, as the network went to pre-taped programing.

An hour later the network was broadcasting from Skype.

"People just tuning in wondering why you're seeing me on Skype, why there's such technical difficulties, it's because we have been taken off the air because a bomb threat was called in to CNN," said host Don Lemon.

"We were evacuated and we know as much as you do."

"Due to a police investigation at Columbus Circle, West 58th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic," the New York Police Department tweeted, referring to the address of the news organization's offices. "Please avoid this area. Update to follow."

The bureau was previously evacuated in October after a package with an explosive device was discovered.

ia/dw

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Wimbledon extends BBC partnership until 2024

Wimbledon will continue to be broadcast on BBC at least until 2024 following a four-year extension to the longest partnership in sports broadcasting history.

"We are delighted to be further extending our long partnership with the BBC up to 2024," chairman of the All England Club Philip Brook said in a statement.

"We greatly value the BBC's commitment to delivering large national audiences for The Championships across a multitude of high quality platforms," he added.

Wimbledon will complete a partnership of 80 years of television and 90 years of radio with the BBC in July 2017.

The BBC registered a peak audience of 13.3 million for Andy Murray's second Wimbledon title on BBC One, while the Scot's first title in 2013 was watched by 17.3 million people across the UK. (Reporting by Debanjan Bose in Bengaluru; editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Time Warner Cable signs two Lakers deals as clock ticks

Time Warner Cable, under pressure to sign TV distributors to cover the costs of its deal to carry Los Angeles Lakers games, reached agreements with Charter Communications and Verizon four days before the basketball team's first home game, the companies said on Friday.

"Charter is the first provider of this brand new programming in our service areas, and we know that the addition of these networks especially pleases our customers in Southern California," said Allan Singer, Charter's senior vice president of programming.
Time Warner Cable also said late on Friday that its month-old Time Warner Cable SportsNet and companion Spanish-language sports channel Time Warner Cable Deportes had agreed to terms with Verizon's Fios TV service. The cable operator said details would be announced in the coming days.

Los Angeles-area cable and satellite operators had balked at paying the average monthly fee of $3.95 per subscriber it was charging for the two regional sports networks, which will air local broadcasts of the National Basketball Association's Lakers and Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy.

Time Warner Cable needs distributor fees to help pay for the contract it reached with the Lakers in February 2011. Barclays analyst James Ratcliffe has estimated that the local broadcasting rights will cost about $2 billion over 20 years.

Until Friday's agreements, the only fans able to watch local broadcasts of new Lakers stars Dwight Howard and Steve Nash were the 2 million who subscribe to Time Warner Cable and subscribers of the small Bright House Networks in Bakersfield, Calif.

Verizon has about 461,000 pay TV subscribers in the Los Angeles market while Charter has about 292,000, according to data from SNL Kagan.

Besides Charter, Time Warner Cable needs to sign contracts with satellite broadcasters DirecTV and Dish Network and with Cox Cable to carry 53 of the Lakers' 82 games carried by Time Warner Cable. The rest are national games that will be telecast by ESPN, TNT and ABC.

On Oct. 24, Cox, which has 1.2 million subscribers in Southern California, said it was rebuffed in its offer to carry the two channels on a specialty tier that would offer a portion of its customers other sports channels.

"We are committed to meeting the needs of all Cox customers, not just sports fans," Cox said in a statement. "The price for the Lakers is one of the highest wholesale prices that we have seen."

source: abs-cbnnews.com