The state broadcaster will be teaming up with the incumbent “Big 3” networks.
In a statement on Thursday, June 11, newly-installed General Manager of the People’s Television Network, Inc. (PTV), Lino Cayetano, announced the first major move for the station under his leadership.
He noted that the broadcast entity, which is directly under the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), has received interest from private media giants ABS-CBN Corporation, GMA Network, Inc. and TV5 Network, Inc. (and its parent Mediaquest Holdings, Inc.).
“I am happy to share that ABS-CBN, GMA, and MediaQuest TV5 have reached out to help us at PTV,” Cayetano said in a statement.
According to him, the PTV Board, led by Chairperson Victoria C. Recio, Vice Chairperson Prof. Antonio Contreras, and Board Member Atty. Joji Alonso, have already adopted a resolution.
That document authorizes him to enter into partnerships with these media organizations to further advance the mandate of the state-owned network.
“To serve Filipinos better and remain engaged and relevant in their lives, we need multiple stakeholders at the table, working alongside the already outstanding and hardworking men and women of PTV,” he underscored the reason why he is teaming up with these networks.
He then expressed his gratitude to the three major media outfits for their willingness in joining the cause.
“I thank the three largest media organizations — all held in high esteem and trust by the Filipino people — to be part of PTV’s future,” he ended his statement.
At present, he has not yet disclosed the nature of the tie-up and other specifics.
Although, it will not be the first time for PTV, which is known in the public fora as “Channel 4,” to enter a deal or have any ties with the above-mentioned entities.
All the way back to its establishment, ABS-CBN has been intricately linked to PTV, which started out as Government Television (GTV) in 1974.
The same frequency that it continues to operate to this day was formerly occupied by ABS-CBN for its secondary channel from 1969 until the forced network shutdown in 1972.
GTV, and its later branding as the Maharlika Broadcasting System (MBS) and the People’s Television Network (PTV), would also make use of the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Centre (then known as Broadcast Plaza) for its operations.
Both ABS-CBN and PTV even shared the main building upon the former’s return after the 1986 People Power Revolution until Channel 4’s move to another building in Quezon City in 1992.
Fast forward to the 2010s, the O Shopping teleshopping block also had a brief run on PTV, where it occupied slots on the channel.
Meanwhile, PTV and TV5-Mediaquest also had a recent tie-up, the state broadcaster was able to air games of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which happened in Manila, through a delayed telecast of the event on channel 4 after its broadcast on the Mediaquest’s One Sports channel.