It seems like A2Z will no longer be just limited to Mega Manila.
On September 15, PRTV Tacloban, a regional television station in Leyte owned by Philippine Collective Media Corporation, uploaded an updated promo plug on the launch of ABS-CBN Entertainment shows on their channel. Previously, the plug only mentioned PRTV Channel 12, hinting that it may be a direct partnership between them and ABS-CBN. However, that video had already been replaced with a newer one.
With this updated version, PRTV now mentions A2Z, the Mega Manila television network owned by Zoe Broadcasting Network, Inc., which is then blocktimed by ABS-CBN since October last year.
Now, is this a sign that A2Z will finally expand beyond the Mega Manila super region on free-to-air TV?
If the teaser is of any indication, it is highly possible at this point. But still, before that becomes a reality, some hurdles must be cleared first.
Currently, schedule listings show that PRTV broadcasts radio-on-television-formatted programs throughout the day, with its total airtime amounting to around 12 hours on weekdays alone. Meanwhile, A2Z does operate a little longer, with its broadcast normally starting at around 6:00am, and ending as late as 12:00mn on weekdays. If PRTV does become an A2Z affiliate, it remains to be seen whether how would they retain their original programming or would they be at all. Another possibility is A2Z being put up as a digital subchannel of PRTV in the region.
With this development, it will (or could) be the first time since 2019 that the programming seen on channel 11, before they disaffiliated from GMA News TV, will be seen outside of its home turf on free TV. Currently, non-Metro Manila viewers could only watch A2Z on cable and satellite TV.
Both PRTV and A2Z (ABS-CBN and ZOE) are yet to issue a statement regarding this matter.