The ever-innovative ABS-CBN News Channel will have its own HD channel coming soon. (Logo courtesy of ABS-CBN)
ABS-CBN is launching a third HD channel soon.
After giving the flagship Channel 2 and Sports+Action its own HD channel (available exclusively on SkyCable), the network finally decided that the time is right for the ABS-CBN News Channel to have an HD channel as well. This announcement took place yesterday in a press conference inside the ABS-CBN Broadcast Center in Quezon City.
According to Integrated News and Current Affairs head Ging Reyes, the impending launch of ANC HD should cement its position as the gold standard and primary source for Philippine news and analysis for the country’s business and political leaders. She then voiced her thoughts on ANC HD and the channel in general in the statement below.
This is what ANC has continuously strived to be: the best, most reliable, and prestigious English language, all-news channel in the Philippines. There is still a lot more in store for ANC, as we mark twenty years this coming May. Stay tuned for these exciting developments.
Indeed they still have a lot more in store, as two months from now the 2016 national elections will take place. And ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs will have all of it covered, from the campaign period to the day of the voting and eventually the final results.
With the impending launch of ANC HD, how will this affect the news programming of Channel 2 and the Regional Network Group? While ABS-CBN Channel 2 has its own HD channel, some of its news programming (e.g. ‘TV Patrol’) are still shot in standard definition, and as a result, they are still considered a work in progress.
That said, it may take awhile for the ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs to embrace the high definition platform full-time. For now, patience is of the virtue, and for a network that has pioneered HD broadcasting in the country, there is still time to make it all happen.
The assigned channel of ANC HD on SkyCable will be revealed soon. Stay tuned for further details.
From the Tube 
AFAIK, ANC HD is the second news channel in the Philippines to be broadcast in HD, next to Bloomberg TV PH.
Will TV Patrol, Bandila will soon follow?
We’ll see. But remember, Bloomberg PH is more business-centric, while ANC focuses on general news. So Bloomberg PH is a different breed of news channel.
Bloomberg PH is different indeed, but widely criticized for having Shawn Yao as the face of the said channel.
Speaking of news programs of ABS converting to HD, we need more time for these programs to be aired in HD. ABS has yet to convert the programs of its RNG to HD, so it will take time.
Exactly. It’s still a development stage, so let’s wait for it to materialize.
Just in time. We just upgraded our SKY plan to Dual Def 549.
Good. That should encourage others to subscribe to Sky’s HD plans. However, it’ll take long before all of ABS’ TV programming become full-fledged HD productions, so wait patiently.
THIS JUST IN: The test broadcast of ANC HD will be on March 15. (COURTESY: ABS-CBN 360)
https://web.facebook.com/ABSCBN360/photos/a.572017286221832.1073741828.572002716223289/952646598158897/?type=3&theater
Good. For those with HD digibox, can’t wait for it.
I notice that the live programs aired on the SD broadcast on ANC are now being broadc ast in HD.
They somehow did this so as not to obscure the graphics.
I have this feeling that Channel 2’s live news programming is being deliberately cropped to SD
My exact sentiments too. But the truth is, the reason why Channel 2’s live news programming remains in SD is because not all regional channels of ABS who primarily handle news are ready for HD just yet. Some of the shows on the new ARC (and its counterpart regional group) are still in SD. A full conversion could take time, so patience is a virtue.
In Trump’s words: “I will tell you at the time, I’ll keep you in suspense.”
Indeed. Give them probably five years and by then every network is capable of handling an HD broadcast.