MediaQuest Holdings Inc. and TV5 Network Inc. signed an agreement with Nine Media Corp. to distribute the former’s programs in RPTV, the newest free-to-air channel that replaced CNN Philippines.
MediaQuest Holdings president and chief executive Jane Basas, TV5 president and chief executive Guido Zaballero and Nine Media president Benjamin Ramos recently signed a content distribution, sales and marketing services agreement for the new channel.
“The deal arose from the previous agreement that saw TV5’s PBA and EAT Bulaga! airing on Channel 9 on weekends beginning January,” Basas said.
“Both parties saw a good opportunity for a more robust collaboration for a unique channel that puts together some of the most sought-after sports and entertainment content that the MediaQuest group has to offer”, she said.
“This agreement brings together TV5 and MediaQuest’s vast library of programs and Nine Media’s broadcast network access and nationwide reach,” said Zaballero.
“Our collaboration with Nine Media allows us to reach more Filipinos and deliver our commitment to provide the entertainment, sports, news, and public service content that they love,” said Zaballero.
RPTV was launched on Feb. 1 and is now available on Channel 9 Analog, Channel 19 DTT, Channel 18.3 DTT, over 300 cable and satellite providers nationwide and streaming live via the Cignal Play OTT App.
CNN Philippines, which shut down on Jan. 31, used to air on RPN’s free TV Channel 9.
RPN is co-owned by Nine Media, Far East Managers and Investors Inc., Government Communications Group under the Presidential Communications Operations Office and several private stockholders.
Nine Media earlier committed to giving compensation to about 300 employees of CNN Philippines who were displaced by the shutdown over financial losses.
The affected employees will receive one month separation pay for every year of service, according to Nine Media.