ABS?CBN Corporation has officially withdrawn its bid to secure a new congressional franchise for free-to-air broadcasting. The decision marks a major shift in the company’s strategy, following years of political and regulatory hurdles since its original franchise expired in 2020.
President and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak, speaking during the company’s virtual annual stockholders’ meeting on Thursday, June 26, acknowledged that even if the franchise were granted, rebuilding its former national broadcast network would no longer be feasible. The frequencies previously assigned to ABS?CBN have already been reallocated to other broadcasters.
“Even if Congress granted the franchise to ABS-CBN, we would not be able to rebuild our former national network, because all the frequencies we used to transmit have already been granted to other broadcasters,” said Katigbak.
Context Behind the Decision
ABS?CBN’s 25-year franchise expired in 2020, after the House of Representatives denied its renewal. Since then, the company has operated without free-to-air access, relying instead on cable, digital platforms, and partnerships with third-party networks. A new franchise bill was filed in early 2025 but failed to gain traction in Congress.
With mounting legal and political uncertainty, the network reassessed its options and determined that continuing to pursue a franchise was no longer practical. The shift signals a definitive end to efforts aimed at returning to the country’s free TV space.
Pivot to Digital and Partnerships
Instead of reviving its former broadcast model, ABS?CBN has focused on building a robust digital presence. It now delivers content through platforms like iWantTFC, YouTube, and social media, as well as through cable and partner stations like A2Z and TV5. This multi-platform strategy has allowed the network to retain a strong connection with its audience, despite the absence of free-to-air transmission.
“We hope to sustain the gains from our digital businesses while growing our international licensing film and music revenues. With reduced debt levels, we expect financing costs to decline, improving our cash flow and profitability,” Katigbak shared.
Katigbak emphasized that the company will concentrate on long-term sustainability by expanding digital content offerings, forging new partnerships, and adapting to the evolving media consumption habits of Filipinos.
What This Means for ABS?CBN
The withdrawal from the franchise bid represents both an end and a new beginning for ABS?CBN. While it officially closes the chapter on its role as a traditional broadcast giant, it opens the door for innovation and reinvention. In moving forward, ABS?CBN is positioning itself as a digital-first media powerhouse, prioritizing adaptability, reach, and resilience in a changing media environment.
Its story continues—now unfolding on screens big and small, streamed and shared across the country and beyond.
