Digital terrestrial television in the Philippines

Digital terrestrial television in the Philippines began in 2015 with the implementation of ISDB-T, currently coexisting with analog television that operates on the NTSC standard after the set analog switch-off (ASO) deadline encountered multiple postponements.

Color television made its debut in the Philippines in November 1966, marking the initiation of the country's adherence to the American NTSC standard for analog television. However, significant changes were introduced in June 2010 when the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) declared the adoption of ISDB-T International as the digital terrestrial television (DTT) service standard. This enhanced version of the Japanese ISDB-T aimed to enhance broadcasting capabilities. In response to this shift, a circular was issued by the NTC, directing broadcasters to discontinue analog services by December 31, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. (Philippine Standard Time, UTC+8). Delays in releasing the implementing rules and regulations for DTT broadcast prompted the initial postponement of the transition deadline to 2019, and later to 2023. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} However, on January 15, 2024, the NTC announced that preparations for the transition are now underway, with the expectation of completion by the end of 2024. ^{[5] [6] [7] [8]} The commission's plan involves utilizing ultra-high frequency television channels 14 to 51 (470-698 MHz) for establishing the DTT service, thereby freeing up channels 14 to 20 (470-512 MHz) currently allocated for fixed and mobile services. ^[9] Notably, before this announcement, several broadcasters conducted trial broadcasts using the European DVB-T standard.

The groundwork for transitioning to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) began with the issuance of Executive Order 546, series of 1979, and Republic Act 3846, also known as the Radio Control Law. Amended by the local governing body for broadcast services, the NTC embraced this order to establish rules and regulations facilitating the introduction of digital broadcast services in the Philippines. This initiative included the implementation of a specific standard for the delivery of DTT services. Following this, two technical working groups were formed to guide the governing body in selecting appropriate DTT standards. In response to the recommendations of investors in the broadcast business, including the local broadcasters' group, the Association of Broadcasters of the Philippines, and the NTC, a Memorandum Circular was issued in June 2010, and implemented on June 11, 2010, outlining the standard for digital terrestrial television. ^[10]

History

Digital terrestrial television broadcasting systems by country. While the NTC has selected ISDB-Tb as its DTV standard, DVB-T2 evaluated as an alternate option.

Planning

Since the early 2000s, research has been conducted to explore the digital television transition in the country. An observational approach, commonly referred to as a "wait and see" strategy, has been adopted to assess progress without a definitive decision on the implementation of digital television services in the Philippines. ^[11]

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) initially allowed broadcasting companies to use different standards for the delivery of digital television television (DTT) services. Some companies implemented the European standard DVB-T for digital broadcasting where they can opt for either the high-definition television format or its standard definition multiprogramming. According to the draft implementing rules and regulation (IRR) of the NTC, duly authorized broadcast providers with a congressional franchise are obligated to deliver analog television service and must transmit their existing analog television programs through their digital terrestrial television service. Meanwhile, digital broadcast providers intending to offer pay-per-view or restricted access must obtain additional permission from the commission. Supplementary services may be allowed, contingent on prevailing decrees, acts, and laws.

The commission officially selected the Japanese ISDB-T in 2010 as the sole standard for digital television in the country. A memorandum circular dated June 2, 2010, noted the decision was based on ISDB-T's capacity to provide three levels of categorized modulation (audio, video, and data services) to fixed, portable, and handheld devices, eliminating the need for additional communication infrastructure. In December that year, the governments of Japan and the Philippines adopted a memorandum of cooperation to train engineers in preparation for the adoption of the former's standard. ^{[12] [13]}

In March 2011, the commission expressed plans to re-evaluate its previous decision to adopt ISDB-T, and is studying the possible implementation of a newer platform, the European second-generation Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DVB-T2). Broadcasting company GMA Network, Inc. conveyed its support to re-evaluate its earlier decision to adopt the ISDB-T platform, stating that DVB-T2 is far superior to its Japanese counterpart. The commission adopted the ISDB-Tb primarily owing in terms of affordability. ^[14] Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Corporation criticized the commission for conveying varied indications on the Philippines' official stand on digital television standards. The company panned the commission on its incompetence in supporting its initial pronouncement to implement the ISDB-T standard. ^[15]

In May 2011, the commission considered the recent advancement of the ISDB-T International to rival DVB-T2. It started drafting the IRR should it decide to continue with the Japanese standard, while also reviewing the European counterpart. ^[16] As a result, broadcasting companies agreed to delay the switchover provided that the technology that will be adopted will be far more advanced than the initial digital standard adopted on June 11, 2010. TV5 agreed to do comparative tests between the two standards.

The commission finalized its evaluation of the two standards in August 2011 and announced the adoption of ISDB-T over DVB-T2. ^{[17] [18]} They re-affirmed their decision in October 2013 at a public hearing, and released the draft IRR in December 2014. ^{[19] [20]}

Legislation

In the preliminary version of the NTC's proposed regulations for digital terrestrial television (DTT), broadcasting companies intending to offer DTT services must hold a congressional broadcast franchise. They should also operate at least 15 television stations across the Philippines, possess a minimum paid-up capital of ₱1 billion, and be accessible locally in 10 regions. For broadcasting companies falling short of the required number of television stations and local accessibility, the minimum paid-up capital would be ₱1.2 billion, while new applicants without an existing broadcast station would need ₱1.5 billion in paid-up capital. For each DTT station, a minimum of ₱60 million in capital was set.

In July 2007, broadcasting companies that plan to broadcast digital terrestrial television services to television and other communication devices cannot implement such as the commission was at the time revising its guidelines on digital television programming. However, the commission allowed them to test their systems while waiting for the implementing rules and regulations (IRR). The development comes in light with telecom company, Smart Communications Inc. through its MediaQuest Holdings, Inc. for its myTV service. The commission reiterates in the absence of IRR, the telecom company cannot charge the service being offered to its subscribers. ^[21]

In June 2009, in formulating the transition from analog television broadcast to DTT transmission in the Philippines and to guide the commission in outlining the planned implementing rules and regulations for the enactment of DTT service, ultra-high frequency television channels 14 to 51 (470-698 MHz) was assigned to the DTT Broadcast Service and was deliberating further channels 14 to 20 (470-512 MHz) which is being used by Fixed and Mobile Service. On June 24, 2009, the local unit of the commission, the Frequency Management Division was assigned to formulate a frequency allocation plan for the effective transmission of appropriate users of channels 14 to 20. ^[22]

The commission released the implementing rules and regulations in February 2018 on the re-allocation of the UHF Channels 14–20 (470–512 MHz band) for DTT service. All operating and duly authorized Mega Manila VHF (very high frequency) television networks are entitled to a channel assignment from Channels 14 to 20. ^{[23] [24]}

Deployment

Main article: List of digital television stations in the Philippines

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) officially started the switchover from Analog to Digital in February 2017. DICT also moves the schedule for the total shut-off of analog TV services to the year 2023. ^{[1] [2]}

National broadcasters

• ABS-CBN: ABS-CBN Corporation intended to spend 1 billion pesos on its transition to digital broadcasting. ABS-CBN announced on April 4, 2011, that it was prepared to launch five free "premium" channels on a DTT platform as soon as the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) finalized its regulations on digital television. ABS-CBN's flagship used UHF channel 43 (647.143 MHz) for its ISDB-Tb transmission test; previously, the station used channel 51 (695.143 MHz) for test broadcasts using DVB-T. The initial test was conducted in areas of Valenzuela, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna. In November 2010, ABS-CBN began rolling out its digital broadcast in 17 cities in Metropolitan Manila as well as selected areas in Bulacan and Pampanga. ^{[25] [26]} However, in 2020, the NTC, at the advice of its then-Solicitor General Jose Calida, issued a total of three cease-and-desist orders against ABS-CBN Corporation (including UHF Channel 43 and all digital channels of ABS-CBN TV Plus) to stop broadcasting due to an expired franchise that lapsed on 4 May 2020. ^{[27] [28]} The company was also planning to move its SFN frequency to UHF channel 14 to be the first service to scan on DTT receivers, but it never happened and was eventually used instead by state-run People's Television Network, Inc. On January 25, 2022, the National Telecommunications Commission awarded the frequencies that were used by ABS-CBN before it shut to Villar-owned Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS) for channel 16, Aliw Broadcasting Corporation for channel 23, and Sonshine Media Network International for channel 43. ^[29]
• PTV: The state broadcaster People's Television Network, Inc. began DTT trials using ISDB-Tb in 2009 using channel 48 (677.143 MHz). In 2011, the Japanese government donated additional equipment to the network to improve its digital services. PTV 4 is also planning to operate an Emergency Warning Broadcast System (EWBS) using the digital platform. PTV later used channel 42 (641.143 MHz) frequency now moved to channel 14 (473.143 MHz). ^{[30] [31]}
• TV5: TV5 Network, Inc. (formerly known as ABC Development Corporation/Associated Broadcasting Company) has been using ISDB-Tb for its DTT trials via a simulcast of flagship DWET-TV through DWDZ-TV. TV5 was broadcast on two DTT channels as part of their test broadcast: channel 42 (641.143 MHz) from Nation Broadcasting Corporation and channel 51 (695.143 MHz) from the GV Broadcasting System. Currently, programs from TV5 (as well as its sister channels, One Sports and RPTV) are primarily broadcast on SFN-based channel 18 (497.143 MHz), a frequency assigned by the NTC, while remaining in simulcast on the other two existing frequencies. ^{[32] [33]}
• GMA: GMA Network, Inc. applied for a digital television license from the NTC to install and maintain transmitting stations that will be attuned with and utilized to offer digital terrestrial television and digital mobile TV broadcast services, ^{[34] [35]} using UHF channel 27. Areas planned for a temporary digital broadcast covered the cities of Quezon City, ^[36] Makati, Pasig, Tagaytay, and Angeles City in Pampanga; as well as areas like Ortigas, Cavite, and Calumpit in Bulacan. GMA was vocal about the NTC's choice of the country's DTV standard; on March 27, 2011, a GMA executive proposed the use of the updated European standard DVB-T2 as opposed to ISDB-Tb due to its better quality. However, the NTC did not change its decision to use ISDB-Tb, to which the company complied a few years later. ^{[14] [37] [38]} Currently, GMA's domestic channels are broadcasting via DTT on UHF channel 15 (479.143 MHz). The network started to broadcast on widescreen on February 27, 2023. ^{[39] [40]}

Religious and independent broadcasters

• NET25 and INCTV: Two broadcast companies religiously owned by the Iglesia ni Cristo, Eagle Broadcasting Corporation and Christian Era Broadcasting Service International, launched the first digital television station in the country, DZCE-TV channel 49 (683.143 MHz), then under the GEMNET brand, in 2007. Initially broadcasting in DVB-T, it shifted to using ISDB-Tb in 2009. ^{[41] [42]} However, following the launch of INCTV, digital transmissions were initially conducted during analog off-air periods from 12:00 AM – 4:00 AM. By September 5, 2017, the network was given a "special authority" by the NTC to transfer its analog broadcasts on UHF channel 48 to allow channel 49 to conduct its full-time digital simulcast. The stations uses the frequencies UHF Channel 28 (557.143 MHz) and UHF Channel 49 (683.143 MHz).
• SMNI: Sonshine Media Network International conducted DTT test broadcast using ISDB-T on UHF Channel 40 (629.143 MHz). The station uses the frequencies UHF Channel 39 (623.143 MHz), UHF Channel 43 (647.143 MHz), and UHF Channel 44 (653.143 MHz) until December 21, 2023, when the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) suspended the network's operations for 30 days due to alleged violations of its broadcast franchise. ^[43] On January 18, 2024, the NTC issued a cease-and-desist order against SMNI for violating its 30-day suspension order as its two stations in Region VI were operational as of December 27, 2023. ^{[44] [45]}
• Hope Channel Philippines and GNN: Gateway UHF Broadcasting and First United Broadcasting Corporation are conducting DTT testing using ISDB-Tb on UHF Channel 45 (659.143 MHz).
• UNTV: Progressive Broadcasting Corporation, owned and operated by Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International is currently testing its ISDB-Tb on UHF Channel 38 (617.143 MHz), and it can be viewed in Mega Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Cavite, and other nearby provinces. UNTV fully abandoned its analog transmissions and shifted to digital television on January 1, 2025.
• RJTV: On January 4, 2019, Rajah Broadcasting Network started its broadcasting on digital using UHF Channel 29 (563.143 MHz). RJTV is also the second TV network in the country to fully abandon its analog transmissions and shift to digital television.

Commercial and regional broadcasters

• BEAM: Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media, Inc., owned by a joint consortium led by Bethlehem Holdings, Inc., an investee of Globe Telecom Retirement Fund through its holding company HALO Holdings Inc. (which owns 39 percent of Altimax Broadcasting Company), applied for digital terrestrial broadcast but was still vocal to the DVB-T2 digital system. The station uses the frequency UHF Channel 31 (575.143 MHz).
• SEC: Solar Entertainment Corporation is testing its DTT using ISDB-T on UHF Channel 21 (515.143 MHz) after Channel 22 (521.143 MHz) and UHF Channel 30 (569.143 MHz) but the second frequency eventually moves to UHF Channel 22 (521.143 MHz) replacing the main/first one possibly operated by subsidiary SBN. Solar also operates free-to-air and exclusive DTT channels. In the first quarter of 2018, Solar launched its digital setup box called Easy TV, until it ceased on September 30, 2019. ^[46]
• RPN/Nine Media/RPTV: On January 28, 2016, the state-sequestered Radio Philippines Network and Private company Nine Media Corporation conducted a DTT testing using ISDB-Tb on UHF Channel 19 (503.143 MHz).
• Light TV/ZOE TV: On March 1, 2017, ZOE Broadcasting Network made history in Philippine TV broadcasting as it switched to digital-only broadcasting, using DZOZ-DTV Channel 33 (587.143 MHz). Light Network was the first TV network in the country to fully abandon its analog transmissions and shift to digital television, as network engineers stated that they had been prepared for years to make the switch happen. ^[47] The second frequency eventually used DZOE-DTV Channel 20 (509.143 MHz).
• IBC: In October 2017, despite its impending privatization, the state-sequestered Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation managed to conduct DTT testing using ISDB-T on UHF Channel 26 (545.143 MHz). On March 18, 2022, the station had moved to UHF Channel 17 (491.143 MHz) frequency. The station moved to the old frequency temporarily, from March 21 to March 31, 2022.
• MBC/DZRH TV: Manila Broadcasting Company, the largest radio network in the Philippines, has started conducting its DTT broadcast in Cebu and Iloilo City using UHF channel 43 (647.143 MHz) and Bacolod City using UHF channel 39 (623.143 MHz).
• PRTV: In 2021, Philippine Collective Media Corporation started conducting DTT testing using ISDB-Tb on UHF Channel 50 (689.143 MHz) in Tacloban. The latter launched its own digital TV box for the said area, marketed as "PRTV Tipidbox" partnered with RCA.
• Aliw Broadcasting/Aliw Channel 23: On May 6, 2022, Aliw Broadcasting Corporation started DTT testing using ISDB-Tb on UHF Channel 23 (527.143 MHz).
• AMBS/All TV: On June 26, 2022, Advanced Media Broadcasting System started conducting DTT testing using ISDB-Tb on UHF Channel 16 (485.143 MHz).
• CLTV36: On September 10, 2023, Central Luzon Television owned by Radioworld Broadcasting Corporation started conducting DTT testing using ISDB-Tb on UHF Channel 36 (605.143 MHz) and its test broadcast on October 16, 2023, and was officially launched on December 7, 2023.^{[ citation needed ]}
• Brigada News TV: Brigada Mass Media Corporation started conducting DTT testing using ISDB-Tb on UHF Channel 37 (611.143 MHz) in General Santos. In February 2024, it launched its own digital set-top-box called Brigada DigiTV which is currently available in General Santos and surrounding areas. ^{[48] [49]}

Products

With the transition to digital broadcasting and the eventual shutdown of the analog transmission, digital signals can now be received either through newer television sets that have built-in capability to receive digital signals (ISDB-T ready), or through older analogue television sets that is paired with a set-top box.

The Philippines does not have a consistent branding on digital terrestrial television platforms unlike countries like Australia, with its Freeview, for example. Instead, various media companies have introduced their own related commercial products, such as set-top boxes, to support the change as well as to tap into new market opportunities. ^{[50] [51]}

Media companies such as ABS-CBN, GMA Network, and TV5 have released their own brands of set-top boxes.

Set-top box

While any ISDB-T ready television or set-top box such as Baron's digital receiver box can receive digital signals, various networks have rolled out set-top boxes that carry their brandings. ABS-CBN was the first company to commercially launch DTT, when they launched TV Plus on February 11, 2015. ^[52] It also operated exclusive DTT channels (channels that other top box devices cannot receive) through an exclusive version of the Conditional Access System used by pay TV operators.^{[ citation needed ]}

Other branded set-top boxes include Easy TV of Solar Entertainment (now defunct), launched in May 2018, Affordabox of GMA Network, launched in June 2020 and also offers an encrypted recording feature only for the network's existing subchannels, and Sulit TV of TV5 Network which was launched in September 2021. ^{[53] [54]}

There are also set-top box brands that had their limited launch in some regions. This includes Tipidbox of Philippine Collective Media Corporation in partnership with RCA in Tacloban that was launched in 2021, and DigiTV of Brigada News TV in General Santos and its surrounding areas, launched in February 2024. ^{[48] [49]}

The government, through the Presidential Communications Group, also has its own brand of set-top box called Bagong Pilipinas Digibox that is planned to be distributed to low-income families to help them transition to digital television. This government initiative was launched in January 2024, later than the launch of the commercial products. ^{[55] [56] [57]}

Mobile phones and dongle

Another products that were marketed during the transitions were mobile phones and tablets that can receive digital signals such as Starmobile ^{[58] [59] [60]} , Cherry Mobile ^[61] , MyPhone ^[62] , Alcatel ^[63] , Samsung ^[64] , O-Plus ^[65] , and SKK Mobile ^[66] , as well as dongles which can be inserted to Android smartphones to receive digital signals like ABS-CBN's TV Plus Go and GMA's Now.

Analog switch-off

Initial attempts

In preparation for the analog switch-off (ASO), the initial draft of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) stated that the National Telecommunications Commission will stop processing and approving new applications for analog television broadcasting beyond December 31, 2010. Meanwhile, all existing certified broadcasters are required to surrender their analog frequencies when their analog television broadcast transmission concludes by December 31, 2015, at 11:59 P.M.

Nevertheless, the ASO deadline was initially postponed to 2019 in the last quarter of 2014, and was once again extended to the end of 2023. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [67]} In March 2016, The commission held public consultations regarding the migration plan to digital television. The commission planned to make the country fully migrated to digital television in three to five years. ^[68]

Current status

While the commission is finalizing the IRR of the analog shutdown, various broadcasters have initiated to switch-off their analog broadcasts:

• Light Network (now Light TV), which primarily serves Mega Manila, became the first channel in the Philippines to fully switch to digital broadcasting when it completely shut down its analog broadcast on February 28, 2017.
• Independent channel RJTV, which serves Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces, has switched off its analog broadcast on June 5, 2018.
• 3ABN ended its analog broadcast on December 1, 2018.
• SBN fully switched to digital after shutting down its analog broadcast on September 12, 2019.
• BEAM TV fully switched to digital after shutting down its analog broadcast on December 31, 2021.
• Central Luzon Television ended its analog broadcast on December 6, 2023, making the regional channel to fully switch to digital broadcast.
• UNTV became the largest network so far to switch-off their analog broadcast on January 1, 2025.

By 2024, the commission adapted a new strategy for the ASO and plans to switch-off analog broadcasts by region instead of the initial plan of nationwide. According to the latest data from the commission, there are fewer than one million households, constituting approximately 18%, in Mega Manila area that still use the analog transmission. In contrast, an estimated 82–83% of households have already switched to digital television. Based on these developments, the commission expects that all analog broadcasts will be terminated by the end of 2024 or by 2026. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

On January 15, 2024, preparations are now in progress for the anticipated shutdown of analog television broadcasts and the completion of the transition to digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasting, as announced by the commission. During a public briefing, Deputy Commissioner Alvin Blanco conveyed that active measures are being taken for the seamless integration, with certain television networks facilitating the distribution of set-top boxes to consumers. Blanco underscored, despite previous extensions, that the shutdown deadline remained unchanged and stressed the necessity to determine a suitable date for the shutdown as part of the ongoing preparation process. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

On November 4, 2024, the commission once again announced plans to commence the ASO by yearend, starting in the Mega Manila area. ^[69] The following month, they finalized the rules for the implementation of the analog shutdown which will initially start in the Mega Manila area. Release of draft memorandum circular (MC) for public hearing will be in January 2025. Analog shutdown will commence in the Mega Manila area within 2025 and the rest of the country is expected to follow suit by 2026. ^{[70] [71]}

Timeline of the analog switch-off

Date of shutdown	Areas affected	Status
December 31, 2015	Nationwide	Postponed
End of 2019	Nationwide	Postponed
End of 2023	Nationwide	Postponed
End of 2025	Mega Manila	TBD
2026	Rest of the Philippines	TBD

See also

• Digital television transition
• Television in the Philippines
• List of digital television stations in the Philippines

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