ABS-CBN was a trending topic on Twitter late Sunday as Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni) pummeled large swaths of the Bicol Region and Southern Luzon. Social media users pointed to its news coverage, which continued as if its broadcast franchise wasn't shut down.
As of 6 p.m., Twitter counted some 19,000 tweets with the name of the Kapamilya network. Posts noted how its marathon coverage was uninterrupted on news channels TeleRadyo and ANC while the competition at one point showed a dubbed drama. Also a trending topic: GMA News TV.
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Some tweets noted that the broadcast shutdown also closed ABS-CBN's regional network group, the country's largest before the franchise expiry. Lopez-owned ABS-CBN went off air in May after its franchise expired. A House panel denied its application for renewal in July. Some entertainment programs have begun to air on ZOE TV, rebraded as the A2Z Channel.
Veteran journalist and South China Morning post correspondent Raissa Robles noted the reach of ABS-CBN free TV and DZMM radio, both shuttered.
There are places in the Philippines where only DZMM and ABS-CBN are present. DZMM brings news abt typhoons to the remotest areas when there is no electricity. Let's not kid ourselves by saying there are hundreds of news outlets.
— Raissa Robles (@raissawriter) November 1, 2020
Some Tweets reposted a photo tweeted by ABS-CBN reporter Jeck Batallones, a composite of himself and colleagues during a live sweep on TV Patrol Weekend's Oct. 31 episode.
With or without a franchise, in the service of the Filipino... Always. ?????????? pic.twitter.com/7BjmEN633b
— jeck batallones (@jeck_batallones) October 31, 2020
Broadcast executive Lauren Dyogi reposted an info card of the various channels where ABS-CBN News is available.
MORE ON ABS-CBN:
Haunting Goodbye Shows ABS-CBN Through Retrenched Workers' Eyes
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Para sa importanteng balita at impormasyon tungkol sa bagyo... pic.twitter.com/0YFSS727gc
— Direk Lauren (@direklauren) November 1, 2020