
CLAIM: ABS-CBN has obtained a franchise, allowing it to return to free TV starting Feb. 10 .
RATING: FALSE
A series of false claims appeared on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) announcing that ABS-CBN will return to free Philippine television starting Feb. 10.
The posts explicitly claimed that the network will use “Channel 3,” implying that the network has obtained a congressional franchise to operate under the free TV channel.
But ABS-CBN Corp. has yet to obtain the nod of Congress for a 25-year franchise that will allow it to broadcast on free TV.
Then-Albay Rep. Joey Salceda filed a bill to give the network a franchise renewal through House Bill 11252 filed on Jan. 7.
It was the fifth attempt to revive ABS-CBN’s broadcasting license since its nonrenewal and the subsequent shutdown of its broadcast operations in 2020 during the Duterte administration.
The network has since pivoted toward content production and digital media production, distributing its programs through various platforms including its previous free-TV competitors.
Every media firm in the Philippines seeking to operate any broadcast frequency in the country has to first obtain a franchise from Congress pursuant to Republic Act No. 3846.
As of writing, the post that gained the most traction on Facebook has gathered 22,000 likes, 2,600 comments and 825 shares. Hurt Allauigan
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