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ABS-CBN () (Alto Broadcasting System-Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is the largest Media company in the Philippines. It was founded on October 23,1953, becoming Asia's first commercial television broadcaster.

The network's main broadcast facilities are located at the ABS-CBN Broadcast Center at Sgt. Esguerra Ave., Mother Ignacia St., Diliman, Quezon City.

History

The company traces its beginnings to June 13, 1946, when James Lindenberg, an American engineer, established the Bolinao Electronics Corporation (BEC), which specialized in assembling transmitters. Realizing the potential of television in the country, he was the first to apply to for a license in Congress to estabish a television station in 1949, which was granted a year later. By then, due to the scarcity of raw materials and import controls imposed that time, BEC was compelled to branch into radio broadcasting instead.

In 1952, Judge Antonio Quirino, brother of then-President Elpidio Quirino (1890-1956) who was also looking to set up a television station, bought 70% of BEC and had it renamed to Alto Broadcasting System (ABS). Lindenberg, however, remained as part-owner and served as general manager of the station. In 1953 DZAQ (the "AQ" part stands for Antonio Quirino) TV 3 was introduced as the country's first television channel and made its first broadcast on October 23, 1953. In April 1958, Chronicle Broadcasting Network (CBN, with the name "Chronicle" coming from The Manila Chronicle), a radio network established in 1956 by sibling businessmen Eugenio Lopez Sr. (1902-1977) and Vice-President Fernando Lopez (1904-1993), branched into television broadcasting, and bought ABS from Quirino in the same year with both signing a MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) on a table napkin. Also in the same table napkin, the logo was also sketched. The network grew, and by 1961, its stations DZAQ TV 3 and DZXL TV 9 could be received anywhere in the country from a number of affiliates. February 1, 1967 marked the formal merger of ABS and CBN under the name "ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation". The channel brought many firsts to the Philippines, including color television service (in 1966 when they displayed the Sarimanok logo, showed full-color programs such as Buhay Artista, Wild Wild West, The Nilda-Nestor Show, Tawag ng Tanghalan, Cine Filipino and 70's top rating Your Evening With Pilita ), conducted the first marathon coverage of the country's elections through Halalan '67, inaugurated Asia's biggest and best-equipped broadcast complex (1968), the first live transmission of a world news event via satellite (the moon landing in 1969) and the coverage of the collapse of the Ruby Tower in Manila via microwave transmission from a multi-cam outside broadcast van (OB Van).

In September 21,1972, the government of Ferdinand Marcos closed down any non-state broadcast services. ABS-CBN went off the air, as its studios were taken over by networks run by presidential crony Roberto Benedicto. The ABS-CBN Broadcast Center became the home of state-run TV stations Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation (BBC Channel 2), Government Television (GTV Channel 4) and Kanlaon Broadcasting System (KBS Channel 9, formerly known as DZXL-TV9 of CBN). Later on, the company was seized from the Lopez family, and then ABS-CBN president Eugenio Lopez Jr. was imprisoned. On 1980, channel 2 together with channels 9 and 13 was moved to the newly buitlt "Broadcast City" in Diliman, Quezon City. When Marcos was deposed in 1986, the network was sequestered and returned to the Lopezes. The network went back on the air on September the same year. Also in 1986, ABS-CBN was launched as the "The Star Network: Ang Pagbabalik Ng Bituin" which means "The Return of the Star" in English. However, the network was vacillating, ranking last among the country's five TV stations and suffering huge losses. On 1988, within six months of renewed operations and the bringing in of returning ABS-CBN executive Freddie Garcia, it rose from the least-watched to the most-watched television network, and has dominated the ratings for sixteen years now. Also in 1988, the network ventured in to satellite broadcasting, furthering its reach through "Bridges On The Air."

By 1990, the company had already recovered. ABS-CBN programs consistently drew large audience shares, averaging 40-50% in Metro Manila.

June of 1992 was also a significant year for ABS-CBN as it went public, opening PHP15 a share, the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group was established and began producing programs for the local audience, signed a historic lease with PanAmSat and switched from taped international telecasts to live satellite feeds.

One of the highlights in ABS-CBN's career is when it got the exclusive Philippine broadcast rights for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, and the 1994 Miss Universe pageant held in the Philippines. In 1999, ABS-CBN solidified its grip on the top spot as the teleserye Esperanza posts rating of 58%, the highest recorded in history, sustaining their reputation as the country's most-watched network.

Post-Marcos period

ABS-CBN’s existing broadcast center, constructed in the early 1970s, included eight sound stage/production studios and control rooms, a master control room, editing and technical terminal areas, as well as offices and support facilities for network television and provincial AM and FM radio. In 1973, shortly after its construction, the Marcos' regime took over the facility when martial law was declared. As a result, facility maintenance was neglected and the need to upgrade was ignored for more than 13 years. Even after democracy was restored in 1986, ABS-CBN’s highest priority was on programming and major investment in its facility continued to be deferred.

Expansion

Aside from its flagship terrestrial network ABS-CBN 2 Manila, ABS-CBN is now being aired to many predominantly Filipino enclaves in the United States, Europe, Australia and other major countries via The Filipino Channel or TFC. The network has also diversified into film (Star Cinema - ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc.), music recording (Star Records), publishing (ABS-CBN Publishing), and interactive media (ABS-CBN Interactive).

The network has also introduced its second terrestrial channel, Studio 23 (UHF band), as well as cable channels MYX (a music channel), ABS-CBN News Channel (a cable news channel), CinemaOne Global and CinenaOne (movie cable channel), the Lifestyle Network (home and lifestyle channel), Pinoy Central TV (regionally produced shows) and Hero (the country's first Tagalog-dubbed anime channel). The network's radio stations include DWRR 101.9 (FM-Manila) and DZMM 630-khz (AM-Manila).

ABS-CBN has established regional stations and news bureaus to handle operations in different areas throughout the Philippines. It also broadcasts to locations all over the world via The Filipino Channel, managed by ABS-CBN International. Shows are also available for live viewing and subscription via the Internet through ABS-CBN Interactive's ABS-CBNNow! service.

ABS-CBN affirms its social responsibility in its slogan, "In the Service of the Filipino", through the establishment of the ABS-CBN Foundation. Through multimedia, the foundation has delivered E-TV (Educational Television) VCDs to hundreds of public schools in the country that benefitted students. The foundation is also the umbrella organization of such foundations such as the Knowledge Channel (KCh) Foundation, Bantay Bata (Children's Watch), Bantay Kalikasan (Environment Watch), and ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation.

In 2003, during the television station's 50th anniversary, ABS-CBN launched its present slogan, "Kapamilya" (literally means "a member of the family"), which it believes reaffirms the network's commitment to quality programming that will foster Filipino moral values, which is dominant and characterized in a typical Filipino family.

On 22 January 2006, ABS-CBN's broadcast of Solar Sports' "Hataw Pacquiao, Laban ng Bayan" registered the second biggest number of viewers of a TV event in Philippine history as AGB Nielsen Media Research showed that 2.073 million households (5.261 million individuals) watched the Pacquiao-Morales rematch compared to "Rosalinda"'s 1.486 million households (3.787 million individuals) of its July 13, 2000 episode (Rosalinda is a Mexican telenovela purchased by ABS-CBN). It also registered the highest audience share of 79.5% against Rosalinda's 78.3%. However, Rosalinda remains as the highest rated TV show in Philippine TV history, with 68.9% compared to the 59.2% of the said rematch. However, both shows were not ABS-CBN-made productions. Based on the latest Pulse Asia Survey, ABS-CBN News was the most trusted News Station garnering 68 points against its rival network GMA only garnering 60 points.

50th anniversary

The network celebrated its golden anniversary under the name ABS-CBN. The network launched a promo called "Treasure Hunt", wherein people were encouraged to bring their oldest television, radio sets, microphones, and posters. The network also celebrated its 16th year reign in the TV ratings, with 13 of their shows included in the Top 15 daily programs in TV. ABS-CBN also launched new shows such as the then phenomenal Meteor Garden etc. The company also did a nationwide caravan, showcasing the network's talents.

Wowowee tragedy

At around 6 a.m. on February 4, 2006, at least 79 people were trampled to death and around 208 were injured when a stampede broke out at ULTRA stadium in Pasig City, where the first anniversary celebration of Wowowee (variety show) would be held at noon. The crush began when the organizers of the show began handing out tickets to people in the crowd, many of whom had been camping outside the stadium for days.

Some sources indicate that the thousands of people lining up at the stadium's entrance panicked when someone shouted that there was a bomb. Pasig City Mayor Vicente Eusebio said that the producers and organizers may be at fault for exceeding the stadium's capacity limit, especially with the number of people who were present in the area to watch the game show. Philippine National Red Cross Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon blamed poor organization of the event for the tragedy.

Party-list representatives labeled the tragedy as a reflection of the Philippines "poor economy" and that it showed how desperate Filipinos have become in their quest to gain a better life. ABS-CBN has already taken full responsibility and conducted all necessary measures to help aid the families of the victims of the unexpected mayhem. ABS-CBN Chairman & CEO Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III has already extended his personal condolences to the families of the fatalities and has assured immediate asistance to all of them.

ABS-CBN relaunched the show under the same title on March 11,2006, despite mixed reviews *.

Competition

Image:DSC02516.JPG|Pinoy Big Brother Image:Bahay1.JPG|The facade of the Big Brother House Image:Kdond abs-cbn.jpg|Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal

ABS-CBN lost a large chunk of its audience in 1996 when RPN-9 introduced the "telenovelas," or dubbed soap operas from Latin American countries. The succeeding year, the company regained its audience after it changed its primetime schedule by adding Filipino-produced soap operas.

In mid-2004, the company made a smaller investment when GMA Network gained audience share in Mega Manila, and several other provinces, although ABS-CBN retained its hegemony on other areas and overseas. The network signed a contract with Endemol to gain rights of its franchise of Big Brother. Since the rights were expensive, the company launched a series of promotions in the first and second quarter of 2005. In August 2005, Pinoy Big Brother was aired, which became a hit which caused ABS-CBN to license more programs from Endemol.

Historical Coverages

Image:Leo_oracion_mt_everest.jpg|Leo Oracion, first Filipino to reach Mt. Everest summit. Image:Mano-a-mano_araneta.jpg|Mano-a-Mano Pacquiao v. Larios.

1992 Barcelona Olympics

The network gained rights to airing the 1992 Summer Olympics, when the national network, PTV-4 was not able to broadcast the games. This broadcast gave the network a competitive edge in showing international sports events.

1994 Miss Universe Pageant

When the prestigious Miss Universe Beauty Pageant was held at Manila on year 1994, it was ABS-CBN that was able to host and cover the said event. This event made the network's presence felt in the international broadcast arena.

2003 US-Iraq War

ABS-CBN was the last Asian broadcaster to remain covering the US-Iraq war, together with Reuters and CNN. However, the network pulled out the news team two weeks after staying for nearly a month after series of severe bombings in Baghdad.

Mount Everest expedition

On May 17, 2006, ABS-CBN's hourly news bulletin, News Patrol, was the first to broadcast through a live satellite feed from Mount Everest base camp that the ABS-CBN sponsored First Philippine Everest Team member Leo Oracion have already reached the summit of the mountain.

The expedition was financed in part by the network.

Mano-a-Mano Pacquiao vs Larios

On July 2, 2006, ABS-CBN was the official broadcaster of the Pacquiao-Larios bout which was held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Manny Pacquiao Productions gave the exclusive telecast rights of the fight after the successful broadcast partnership with Solar Sports of the Pacquiao vs. Morales fight. The fight was shown an hour delayed on the terrestial television but was shown live over pay-per-view via SkyCable locally and through The Filipino Channel overseas.

That event garnered the highest rating in the Philippine TV history, with a 65.4% (with a reach of 82.8% nationwide) and an audience share of 87% based on the latest AGB Survey in Mega Manila defeating the rating of Pacquiao-Morales fight which garnered 58.7% and Esperanza with a 58.1% rating.

News & Current Affairs

ABS-CBN pioneered the Philippine Broadcast Industry. After EDSA Revolution, the network was first to air a newscast and current affairs show namely TV Patrol and Probe. For almost 17 years, the network's news organization dominated the industry until its closest rival got the coveted spot. The network also lost its leadership because it suffered from credibility issues, including its alleged partiality in various political issues and the involvement of its former news anchors and network Chairman in the political arena.

At present, the news organization is headed by former CNN Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa. Ressa introduced major organizational changes and reforms, including the drafting of Code of Ethics that is very much benchmarked on international standards. The new Code of Ethics served as the Bible of all the members of the news organization.

ABS-CBN also owns the ABS-CBN News Channel, the only 24-hour news channel in the Philippines.

ABS-CBN Regional Network Group

The ABS-CBN Regional Network Group is the provincial network of ABS-CBN. It is responsible for live/pre-taped relay of shows aired in Manila throughout the country. The ABS-CBN Regional Network Group has several stations in each region all over the country. This group also delivers news in each region and the fiestas in the cities. Through the group, ABS-CBN has the following regional stations in the Philippines:

Slogans

  • The Prime Network - the very first slogan released by ABS-CBN in the 1960's.
  • The Philippines' Largest Network - used as the corporate slogan.
  • The Star Network - used on 1987 with its renewed operations.
  • In The Service Of The Filipino - popularized the network even further in the 90's.
  • In The Service Of The Filipino Worldwide - popularized the network here and abroad from the 90's to present.
  • Sama-Summer Together! - slogan for 2001 Summer Season.
  • Saya ng Summer sa ABS-CBN - used during 2002 Summer Season.
  • Umulan, Umaraw Magkasama tayo - used during 3rd Qtr of 2002.
  • Sa ABS-CBN, Ikaw ang No.1 - tagline during 2002 for making ABS-CBN No.1 network for 15 consecutive years.
  • Isang Pamilya, Isang Puso Ngayong Pasko - slogan for 2002 Christmas Season.
  • In 2003, when ABS-CBN celebrated its 50th Golden Anniversary it changed its general slogan to Kapamilya.
  • 50-Fiesta na! - used during Summer Season of 2003.
  • Happy 50 TV! - used when Kapamilya Stars greets ABS-CBN for its Golden Years.
  • Sabay Tayo, Kapamilya - launched in 2004.
  • 100% Wagi - used when ABS-CBN launched their new shows.(Victim, Star Circle Quest, Star in a Million, ASAP Mania, Lukso ng Dugo, etc.)
  • Sabay Tayo, Pilipinas - ABS-CBN Regional Network Group's slogan in 2004.
  • Sabay Summer tayo, Kapamilya! - during Summer of 2004.
  • Kapamilya, Ang Lakas mo Sa'min! - the slogan for the 4th Qtr of 2004.
  • Iba Magmahal ang Kapamilya - used when ABS-CBN launched their 30 new shows.
  • Iba ka-Summer ang Kapamilya - during 2005 Summer Season.
  • Bawat Pinoy, Kapamilya - the slogan for the year 2005.
  • Magpasaya ng Kapamilya - slogan for the 2005 Christmas Season.
  • Iba Magmahal ang Pinoy - released in 2006 during Valentine Season.
  • Kapamilya Summer Na, Sama Ka! - released during the 2006 summer season.
  • Angat ang Pinoy - released in inspiration of victorious Mt. Everest Expedition.

ABS-CBN Broadcast Center

The new Broadcast Center

At the heart of ABS-CBN’s new capabilities are its technical equipment and systems. The core of ABS-CBN's technical complex is a new master routing system. The system, a 400x400 input/output matrix, has full stereo-audio capability. This system also provides additional levels of tally, serial control, machine control, and SMPTE time-code functions. The TOC houses 125 equipment racks providing space for a serial machine control system for studio and post-production; 200 stereo-audio distribution amplifiers; 325 video distribution amplifiers; a 2,880-position video patchbay; and a 3,380-position stereo audio patch field. The camera control center supports a total of 27 cameras, assignable to any studio. Linking the entire production and technical complex is a cable management system consisting of more than 50,000 meters (165,000 feet) of 8281 double-shielded coax cable; 106,000 meters (350,000 feet) of 8451 shielded audio cable; 5,000 meters (17,000 feet) of serial control cable; and 12,000 meters (40,000 feet) of triax camera cable. Post-production facilities include six computer-edit-equipped suites, with the 28 VTRs assignable to any suite. There are also an additional 18 A/B roll-edit suites. Each of the eight studios is equipped with a minimum of three cameras, with the capability of expansion to six cameras each. Individual studio control rooms include dual mix/effects switchers; dual channel DVE systems; 24-channel stereo-audio mixing boards; dual channel character generators; multichannel facility intercom; and remote serial machine control. New studio lighting includes remote-controlled motorized battens and a 3,200K SCR programmable lighting control system. This alleviated the requirement for lengthy testing and troubleshooting at the ABS-CBN Broadcast Center in Manila.

Capabilities

ABS-CBN’s facility is among the most sophisticated broadcast center in the Pacific Rim and among the most modern in the world. It is capable of producing and airing multiple, simultaneous live and recorded productions. The enhancement and digitalization of the Broadcast Center has enabled the network to respond to an ultra-diverse market’s rapidly growing demand for a greater variety of broadcast programming.

Programming

ABS-CBN broadcasts a wide variety of programming in its different terrestrial networks and cable channels. These include news and current affairs shows, documentaries, dramas (mostly locally-produced soap operas), canned foreign shows, entertainment news and talk shows, game shows, variety shows, musicals, sitcoms, educational shows, religious programs, children's shows,dubbed anime programmes, sports shows, arts and lifestyle programs, and reality shows. The different channels also have specialized programs aimed at different audiences. From time to time, the different channels of ABS-CBN broadcast television specials such as regional festivals, concerts, cultural events, and sports events.

ABS-CBN-Owned Stations and Networks

Television and Radio

List of Subsidiaries

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "ABS-CBN".

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