All of ABS-CBN's radio frequencies have been recalled by the National Telecommunications Commission, with the regulator citing its failure to renew its 25-year franchise. The radio frequencies are used by broadcasters to air on free TV and radio.
It's yet another blow to the Lopez-owned broadcaster, who at the start of the months started to lay off an undisclosed number of employees in order to survive. ABS-CBN has been off the air since May 5, one day after its franchise expired. On July 10, a House of Representatives committee denied its franchise application.
LOOK: NTC order recalling all frequencies/channels assigned to ABS-CBN corporation. | via @wddeguzman pic.twitter.com/NJ6Bsf2tZq
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All provisional authorities and certificates of public convenience granted to ABS-CBN have also been cancelled, according to a copy of the NTC order that it posted on Twitter.
On. Aug. 28, ABS-CBN shut 12 regional editions of its TV Patrol newscast. The flagship national version continues to air on YouTube and Facebook, minus one anchor, Ted Failon.
A signature drive is underway to gather enough support for a franchise renewal via a people's initiative.
