More and more Filipinos are saying goodbye to analog television and are now watching television via digital terrestrial television (DTT), cable, or direct-to-home satellite TV based on the latest Kantar Media establishment survey conducted in August.
According to the study, 72 percent of homes in Metro Manila are already “digitally-enabled” with only 28 percent still using analog television. A big factor in this on-going digital shift has been the warm reception of consumers of ABS-CBN TVplus, ABS-CBN’s DTT service that has enabled millions of Filipinos to enjoy clear TV viewing, crisp sound, and pay per view services for an affordable price.
Metro Manila alone, 55 percent of non-cabled homes or one in two homes have an ABS-CBN TVplus box, according to Kantar Media, which has conducted three establishment surveys in February, May, and August this year to determine the media landscape in the country, particularly how Filipinos are watching television. In Mega Manila, 44 percent or almost half of non-cabled homes are also enjoying the benefits of ABS-CBN TVplus boxes.
The results show the continuous migration of viewers from analog to digital, where the quality of the picture and the sound are better, and where viewers are also given more choices in terms of channels and programs.
As of mid-September, ABS-CBN has already sold 3.6 million ABS-CBN TVplus boxes nationwide since 2015. ABS-CBN DTT head Chinky Alcedo said that they are on track to hit their target of selling cumulative four million ABS-CBN TVplus boxes this year, allowing even more Filipino families to get the ultimate viewing experience with ABS-CBN TVplus’ promise of clear picture and additional channels with no monthly fees. One of its exclusive channels, CineMo – an all-day movie channel – is already among the Top 5 channels in the country in terms of TV ratings.
Leading the way in the country’s departure from analog is ABS-CBN, which is rapidly transitioning into an agile digital company with a growing list of digital platforms and the biggest online presence among Filipino media companies.
ABS-CBN is the first media company to offer DTT service in the Philippines when it launched ABS-CBN TVplus in 2015, which also offers YeY!, an all-day children’s entertainment channel, Knowledge Channel, an educational channel that airs curriculum-based programs and content for primary and secondary students, and DZMM TeleRadyo, which offers the live TV broadcast of programs from DZMM Radyo Patrol 630.
ABS-CBN TVplus signal coverage is available in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, Tarlac, Benguet, Cavite, Metro Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Davao. The ABS-CBN TVplus box is offered at a very affordable one-time payment fee of P1,499.