Broadcast frequencies ng ABS-CBN, ‘nasulot’ ni Villar

MALABO nang mabawi ng ABS-CBN ang kanilang prankisa sa susunod na administrasyon dahil ibinigay na ng administrasyong Duterte ang kanilang broadcast frequencies sa kompanyang pagmamay-ari ni Manny Villar.

Nabatid na ipinagkaloob ng National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ang temporary permit sa Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. (AMBS) na pagmamay-ari ni Villar para magsagawa ng isang test broadcast sa analog Channel 2.

Sa kalatas ng NTC kagabi, kinompirma nilang binigyan ng provisional authority ang Villar-owned company para mag-install, mag-operate at magmantina ng isang digital television broadcasting system sa Metro Manila gamit ang Channel 16.

“After the technical evaluation of AMBS request for a simulcast channel, Channel 2 (the paired analog channel in Mega Manila of digital channel 16) was temporarily assigned to AMBS,” anang NTC.

“This temporary assignment is for simulcast purposes only, and only until the analog shut-off scheduled in 2023.”

Ang kautusan ng NTC na may petsang 6 Enero 2022 at nilagdaan ni NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba ay nagsaad na ang Advanced Media ay magkakaroon ng operasyon mula 7:00 am hanggang 10:00 pm sa Starmall ng mga Villar sa Mandaluyong City, at ang kanilang permit ay gagamitin lamang para sa test broadcast.

“The temporary permit does not confer any vested right or interest in the grantee thereof,” ayon sa dokumento.

Isa pang NTC order na pinirmahan nina Cordoba at deputy commissioners Edgardo Cabarios at Delilah Deles, nagbigay sa Advanced Media ng provisional authority para sa isang digital TV broadcasting system gamit ang isa pang frequency na dati ay sa ABS-CBN.

“It appearing that the applicant is legally qualified, and that the proposed Digital Terrestrial Television (DTTB) broadcasting station in Metro Manila/Mega Manila is technically and economically feasible, in the interest of public service, the Commission hereby grants Advanced Media System Inc., a provisional authority to install, operate, and maintain a digital TV broadcasting system…using Channel 16…for 18 months,” saad sa order.

Ang mga Villar ay masugid na tagasuporta ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. (ROSE NOVENARIO)