Consumers groups expressed support for the recently announced merger of TV-5 and ABS-CBN, calling it a welcome development that would boost public awareness of critical information on issues and events that have direct impact on the daily lives of every Filipino.
Consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippine convenor Mr. Orlando Oxales said: “The fusion of TV5 and ABS-CBN, is definitely good news to the viewing public as this will help democratize the dissemination of well-vetted news reports to the public which is a mandated responsibility of a TV franchise.”
“We look forward to enhanced public service programs that will keep Filipinos well informed of important information that are relevant to their everyday lives especially during times of crisis.”
“CitizenWatch is hopeful that this union of TV5 and ABS-CBN will evolve into a positive force that will contribute to our common aspiration of recovering from these difficult times and wield the power of its broadcasting platform in the most professional and responsible manner,” Oxales added.
Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente convener Louie Montemar, in a separate statement, said: “The free-to-air broadcast platform of TV5 joining forces with the content and production talents of ABS-CBN is an exciting development that will fill a void left when the Channel 2 franchise was not renewed by Congress.”
“This is an opportunity to create a new brand of credible public service that would deliver not just entertainment but would hopefully be a developmental medium of education and good values freely accessible to everyone,” Montemar said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Gus Tambunting, chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchise, described the merger as a simple business venture wherein a legitimate television network with a channel and franchise has partnered with a former television network known for producing widely popular content.
”In my opinion, this is just a simple business transaction wherein there is one company with a free channel and franchise, while another company formerly had a franchise and formerly featured good content. From a business point of view, it seems very sensible to give space to the former leading network,” Tambunting said.
“More than a legitimate partnership, the lost jobs and opportunities of linked industries when ABS-CBN lost its franchise will be given another chance to be part of a new network that should learn from the hard lessons of the past and strive to build a progressive mover in nation building,” Oxales said.