The channels have upgraded to the new screen ratio.
On Monday, July 1, in time for the start of the new month, the standard definition (SD) feed of ABS-CBN’s flagship pay television platform Kapamilya Channel and its blocktimed free-to-air channel counterpart A2Z of Zoe Broadcasting Network, Inc. surprised viewers with an upgraded experience.
Both A2Z and Kapamilya Channel are now seen in widescreen format, although with minor differences.
The former opted to use the anamorphic 16:9 ratio, while the latter utilized the full-scale 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio.
This development follows the trend of local television networks finally switching to the new standard, as the date for the digital television switchover — at least in the major Mega Manila market — nears its deadline.
A2Z and the Kapamilya Channel are the latest additions to the list of local stations broadcasting in widescreen, which include the likes of GMA, GTV, TV5, One Sports, RPTV (RPN), PTV, IBC, ALLTV, and NET25, among others.
Although, in contrast to A2Z, Kapamilya Channel has a high definition (HD) feed, which is carried on Sky Cable and the iWantTFC feed of the said pay television channel.
As for A2Z, it has yet to be made known whether the free-to-air channel will eventually have its own HD feed on either digital free television or exclusively on pay TV providers.