ABS-CBN achieves milestone in digital pivot; lawyer says cancellation ill-timed

DESPITE suffering a massive setback when it was not granted a congressional franchise renewal, ABSCBN discovered that cyberspace was a viable avenue when ABS-CBN News garnered 10 million subscribers on Youtube.

After showing that it has become a major part of the Filipino lifestyle with six billion lifetime views, ABS-CBN News also achieved a milestone when social analytics firm Social Blade reported that as of August 4 the program ranked fifth based on Youtube views from local viewers.

Furthermore, ABS-CBN News proved it has a huge following with over 18 million likes and 20 million followers on Facebook, seven million followers on Twitter, and 1.7 million followers on Instagram to enable its followers to get updates and links to news sites news.abs-cbn.com and www.patrol.ph.

Aside from Youtube, followers of popular news programs TV Patrol and The World Tonight can also view them online on the ABS-CBN News Facebook page and iwant, and on cable via ANC, Teleradyo, and Kapamilya Channel.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University Institute of Law Dean Melencio Santa Maria Jr. said the non-renewal of network’s franchise was ill-timed mainly because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the current economic uncertainties.

Through its huge presence, Santa Maria said ABSCBN

has not only uplifted the broadcasting industry standards in the country but also provided millions of Filipinos news, special reports, information and entertainment through its radio, television and digital platforms.

Moreover, Santa Maria said ABS-CBN has also acquired the gravitas to change the definition of a franchise by being the benchmark of broadcasting and disseminating news in the country.

“This cannot be compared to putting up a franchise of a certain hamburger brand. ABS-CBN provides certain values in our democratic system under our Constitution such as the freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of the press,” he explained.

He lamented that the legislators who opposed the renewal of the franchise failed to comprehend the impact of ABS-CBN’S contribution to the country.

Although the granting of a franchise is a privilege, Santa Maria said lawmakers should have taken a broader look because the network has elevated the definition of a franchise.

Meanwhile, at the same webinar Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said the Duterte administration supports the media. “President Duterte is open to criticism as long as there is basis,” Panelo said.

Asked to comment on the Rappler issue, he pointed out that “it has nothing to do with press freedom but accountability.”