ABS-CBN TVPlus Sales Reach 5 Million Units

Five million and counting.

ABS-CBN announced this week that sales of the groundbreaking ABS-CBN TVPlus black box has reached the 5-million mark. This will put the network on track to meet the six-million sales target by the end of the year.

The steady growth of ABS-CBN TVPlus can be attributed to its low price, availability of several digital-exclusive TV channels and clearer picture quality. The boxes only cost P1499 and with a corresponding ABS-CBN Mobile SIM card, consumers can access exclusive ABS-CBN digital channels in CineMo, Yey!, Knowledge Channel, DZMM TeleRadyo and Kapamilya Box Office (KBO).

While ABS-CBN TVPlus is mainly used at home, some public and private vehicle owners have also invested on the device to improve picture quality in their TV screens while on the go. Although ABS-CBN discourages the use of TVPlus in automobiles, it did not stop vehicle owners from trying to improve the viewing experience of riders.

TVPlus is currently available in 15 key locations, mainly concentrating in the Greater Manila Area, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Benguet and Pangasinan. ABS-CBN is also looking to expand the current coverage area that TVPlus encompasses, with the announcement coming in the near future.

ABS-CBN also launched a new generation TVPlus box that is only available in Cebu and Davao. Sold for P2999, it now comes with a wifi stick that will enable customers to access the internet through ABS-CBN Mobile.

So far, the lack of competition in the digital TV sector has enabled ABS-CBN TVPlus to pull away in terms of sales. However, rivals GMA Network and Solar Entertainment are currently in the process of creating their own digital devices, which means that in a few years, one expect a dogfight between the three broadcast giants and their digital TV offerings.

For more information on ABS-CBN TVPlus, click this highlighted link.

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Sixth Incarnation of MTV in the Philippines to Launch Tomorrow

A revival of MTV in the Philippines will be launched tomorrow. (Logo courtesy of Viacom International Media Networks)

A new version of MTV in the Philippines will be seen anew.

On Tuesday, August 1, the sixth incarnation of MTV’s Philippine channel will officially launch in a majority of cable and satellite outlets in the country. This new channel, a collaboration of Viacom and Solar Entertainment, will be known as MTVph.

Viacom International Media Networks vice president and general manager Paras Sharma is excited to revive the MTV brand in the Philippines, saying:

“We are thrilled to work with Solar Entertainment Corporation to not only bring a brand new MTVph into the Philippines, but expand MTV’s reach across platforms. We already have a strong MTV fan base in the country, so this move solidifies our on-going commitment to bolster local programming to cater to the viewing preferences of our Filipino young audience.”

The premiere will coincide with the 36th anniversary of MTV in the United States. Before YouTube became the go-to-source for popular music videos, it was MTV that popularized the vehicle, turning unknown artists into superstars almost overnight with the help of music videos.

However, the history of MTV in the Philippines is anything but memorable. There have been five prior incarnations of MTV in the country, none of which lasted as long as the original.

• MTV Asia (1992-96) – Aired on Channel 23 licensed by Ermita Electronics Corporation. Viacom and STAR TV joined forces for this venture, until the latter’s decision to launch Channel V eventually led to its demise.
• MTV Philippines (1996-2000) – Channel 23 was acquired by ABS-CBN and rebranded as Studio 23. MTV continued to air in the channel during the daytime, but its broadcast ended after ABS-CBN launched MYX.
• MTV Philippines (2001-07) – By far the longest-lasting and most popular incarnation, the original MTV Philippines was aired on Channel 41 24/7 through a partnership with Viacom and the Nation Broadcasting Corporation. The partnership ended once NBC and Viacom parted ways.
• MTV Philippines (2007-10) – A partnership with Viacom and All Youth Channels, this version of MTV was the first to air exclusively on cable and satellite. However, AYC chairman Francis Lumen ended the partnership in 2010, and for the next four years, the MTV seen in the country was that of MTV Southeast Asia.
• MTV Pinoy (2014-16) – Viacom and Viva joined forces to launch the more recent localized version of MTV. Unlike previous incarnations, MTV Pinoy aired mostly Filipino-dedicated content. After its dissolution, an MTV Pinoy block aired on MTV Southeast Asia for a few months.

Now that this latest incarnation of MTV in the Philippines will be launched anew, a few questions remain.

• Will it become relevant in the age of YouTube and other streaming services?
• Will Solar’s recent poor financial history play a big factor in this venture?
• Will MTV be able to compete against contemporaries MYX and Channel V?

One can only hope that MTVph will make a lasting impression and not suffer the same fate as its previous incarnations. That said, if Solar can somehow put their finances into order, then MTVph will be in good shape in the years to come.

Solar Entertainment Channels Undergo Rebrand

A new era is now underway within Solar Entertainment.

At 8:00 p.m. last Sunday, October 16, the new look of four Solar Entertainment channels were simultaneously unveiled to the general public. The four channels are as follows:

Basketball TV

(logo courtesy of Solar Entertainment)

BTV’s new logo is a stylistic departure from the NBA-inspired original logo. The ‘b’ from the first logo was retained, along with the addition of a red triangle and the acronym ‘TV’ above it.

The new look coincides with the network’s 10th anniversary, which BTV is currently celebrating throughout the year. The hashtag for BTV’s rebrand and anniversary celebration is #ADecadeUnmatched.

Solar Sports

(logo courtesy of Solar Entertainment)

The new logo of Solar Sports is also a stylistic departure from previous logos. This time, the ‘sun’ logo that has been the network’s trademark for 14 years was retired, and in its place is a modernized ‘S’ in maroon, yellow and black colors.

With the new rebrand also comes an improved lineup of programs, as Solar Sports begins to give greater attention towards local sporting events, both at the professional and at the grassroots level. The hashtag #Reinforced reflects the new approach that Solar Sports now takes in its programming.

ETC

(logo courtesy of Solar Entertainment)

ETC decided to go pink, blue and teal with its new look. In line with the latest rebrand, ETC decided to promote themselves as the ‘feistier’ network, and even unveiled the hashtag #feistierETC to hype this new approach.

Despite the change in imagery, the network’s scope towards female-oriented programming will remain unchanged, save for some new programs.

2nd Avenue

(logo courtesy of Solar Entertainment)

2nd Avenue decided to go orange and black for its new look. Not only that, 2nd Avenue promoted its rebrand with the hashtag #DelightfullyReal.

2nd Avenue’s family-oriented programming will remain unaffected despite the change of image. Of course, there will be some new programs to boot.

According to Solar Entertainment chief Wilson Tieng, it was an effort done separately by the stations, as it intends to boost viewership and keep up with modern trends. With advancements in technology continuing to play a huge role in the changes in people’s lives, it’s only perfect timing that Solar decides to embark on this approach, knowing that a new look can entice more viewers to watch.

Although many looked forward to a wholesale change in all Solar Entertainment channels, only three networks decided to keep their current look intact. As of today, Jack TV, CT and NBA Premium TV remained unchanged as far as on-air identity goes.

Still, the new look of the four Solar Entertainment channels should be enticing to see. Hopefully the new look will result in an improved experience for its viewers; after all, Solar Entertainment deserves nothing more than a thumbs-up for its efforts.

Shop TV Now on GMA

GMA enters the world of TV shopping when it joined forces with Solar Entertainment’s Shop TV. (Logo courtesy of Shop TV, Solar Entertainment)

GMA Network is now joining the TV shopping bandwagon.

Last night marked GMA’s first foray into the TV shopping genre, when it joined forces with the Solar Entertainment-owned Shop TV. This brings the total number of free TV stations with at least one TV shopping program to ten, the list of which are as follows (parenthesis indicate the TV shopping programs the channel currently airs):

• ABS-CBN (O Shopping)
• PTV-4 (TV Shop, EZ Shop, Shop Japan)
• TV5 (Shop Japan)
• GMA (Shop TV)
• IBC-13 (TV Shop, EZ Shop)
• ETC/SBN-21 (Shop TV)
• Net 25 (EZ Shop)
• 2nd Avenue/RJTV-29 (Shop TV)
• BEAM-31 (O Shopping, Shop Japan, TV Shop)
• AksyonTV (Shop Japan)

Shop TV features products that are advertised on the Home Shopping Network in the United States. The network airs as a standalone cable channel on SkyCable, Cignal and various other outlets, while also acting as a program block on all of its Solar Entertainment sister channels, save for CT.

With the new collaboration, GMA now hopes to compete against its fellow Big Three networks and their TV shopping affiliates. The alliance should also attract a more sizable audience for Shop TV, who look to use GMA as a tool to further promote and advertise its products.

The Shop TV on GMA block currently airs every weekday from 12:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

In 100 Words: FIBA Asia Championship on TV5 and BTV

The 2015 FIBA Asia Championship will be seen on BTV from September 23 to October 3. Gilas Pilipinas games will be simulcast live on TV5 as well. (Logo courtesy of FIBA)

The FIBA Asia Championship will be on two different stations starting tomorrow.

For starters, the rights for every FIBA regional qualifying event (except Africa and Oceania) are currently held by Solar Entertainment’s Basketball TV. The said network has covered the Americas and Eurobasket championships, which were won by Venezuela and Spain respectively, and now it’s the turn of the Asian nations to qualify for the Olympics.

All games of the FIBA Asia Championship will air on BTV. The Gilas Pilipinas games will be simulcast live on TV5, unless they consider covering non-Gilas games on AksyonTV (and to a lesser extent, TV5) as well.

The 2015 FIBA Asia Championship will be held at Changsha-Hunan, China, and will run from September 23 to October 3. Full schedule can be clicked here.

Good luck, Gilas Pilipinas.

In 100 Words: FOX Philippines Finally Airs a Live WWE Pay-Per-View

For the first time since 2012’s Elimination Chamber, a WWE pay-per-view was aired live on Philippine cable TV.

FOX Philippines, rightsholders to WWE programs since 2012, aired the Extreme Rules pay-per-view live last Monday morning. This marked the first time that FOX PH has ever aired a live WWE pay-per-view since taking over the broadcast rights from Solar Entertainment’s Jack TV (2012) and later from ABS-CBN Sports+Action (2014).

Previously, all WWE pay-per-views on FOX PH were aired on a 13-hour delay, an aspect carried over from another previous rightsholder in ABS-CBN Sports.

This should be good news for wrestling fanatics, who have been clamoring for live WWE pay-per-views since Solar dropped WWE programs from Jack TV a few years ago. If FOX PH can continue its new-found approach starting with the next pay-per-view Payback, the better for fans to enjoy the action.