Another channel for Filipino sports fans is coming to the space.
In a video teaser, state-owned People’s Television Network (PTV) announced that they are preparing to launch a new subchannel on its digital free-to-air frequency.
“Abangan: Pagsisimula ng kauna-unahang PTV Sports Network digital channel! Mapapanood na araw-araw ang pinakamaiinit na balita sa mundo ng sports sa digital channel ng PTV Sports Network,” the caption for the post about the upcoming channel read.
As of the moment, it is not yet clear whether the network when the new network will begin broadcasting.
Another point of interest is whether it will solely be dedicated to sports news like its namesake program on channel 4, or would it also be keen to add broadcast of properties already airing on the main channel, such as the ‘Unity League’ e-sports tournament.
Although, within the government media ecosystem, there is already a sports news-and-talk outlet in its portfolio.
That distinction belongs to Radyo Pilipinas 2 or RP2 Sports, an AM radio station that can be heard on the 918 kHz frequency in Mega Manila, which among other things airs the audio coverage of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Provided with the short description in the video teaser and the current lack of a prolific sporting property on channel 4, the PTV Sports Network could possibly be utilized to simulcast select or majority of RP2 Sports’ programming through a “tele-radio” set-up to complement the PTV Sports program.
It will also be a familiar move for the PTV network, as its digital frequency also houses the television hook-up of another government radio entity, Radyo Pilipinas 1 or RP1 News, which is heard on 738 kHz in the capital region.
The upcoming launch of the dedicated PTV Sports Network will be the latest movement in the country’s state-owned media, which has seen multiple shake-ups in recent weeks.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), which handles all media properties owned by the government, premiered the multi-platform newscast ‘Balitang Pambansa’ that simultaneously airs on PTV, IBC, Radyo Pilipinas, and the FM radio stations Republika 87.5 and Capital 104.3.
The lattermost of the list were also changed to their current names last week, officially dropping their respective branding as FM1 and FM2 in favor of their monikers.
The PTV Sports Network is also the newest product of the state-owned station following the commencement of CongressTV’s broadcasts in January 2024.