CNN Philippines to air on free TV by 2015

MANILA, Philippines – CNN Philippines will begin airing on free-to-air television as well as cable and pay TV by 2015.

Nine Media Corp., led by its chairman Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua, has formalized its partnership with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific to launch CNN Philippines in the country.

CNN Philippines will be available in 2015 on free TV in Manila RPN-TV9, Cebu RPN-TV9, Davao RPN-TV9, Zamboanga RPN-TV5, Baguio RPN-TV12, and Bacolod RPN-TV8.

The channel will also available in cable TV via Sky Cable in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, and Baguio and via Destiny Cable, Cablelink, and Cignal.

A news website, CNNPhilippines.com, will also be launched in the first quarter of 2015.

Cabangon-Chua said negotiations to bring CNN in the country started in June last year.

“It was properly studied that why it took so long. It is mutually beneficial. It is not only about business. We will help the industry itself,” Cabangon-Chua said.

“By integrating local elements and content in its programming, CNN Philippines brings together world-class local and international content for Filipino audiences,” he added.

The former Ambassador to Laos also said CNN Philippines does not intend to compete with the country’s established networks ABS-CBN and GMA Network Inc.

“We don’t [intend] to compete, we will do it on our own. We will set an example to serve the Filipinos. Media is a very powerful tool, it can make or break our person. Our goal is to help and not to be destructive,” he said.

Nine Media president Benjamin Ramos said the brand licensing agreement with Turner Broadcasting System is valid for five years.

The rebranding to CNN Philippines will be RPN 9’s second in less than a year, following the change from Solar News Channel to 9TV in August.

The 9TV rebranding came after the acquisition of BusinessMirror owner Antonio Cabangon-Chua of a 34-percent stake in RPN-9, held by Solar TV Network's Willy Tieng.

The Benedicto family owns 32 percent of RPN 9 while government has a 20 percent interest in the broadcast company.

ABS-CBNnews.com is the news website of ABS-CBN Corp.