After non-renewal of ABS-CBN franchise, Chalk.ph bids goodbye

As ABS-CBN shutters its various departments following the rejection of its franchise, its long-running online youth lifestyle magazine Chalk.ph is closing down.

“As you may all know by now, the non-renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation, our parent company, has greatly weighed down on most, if not all of its platforms which includes Chalk,” they said in a statement posted on their social media accounts on August 7.

The publication then announced that it would cease operations by the end of August – the same month that it marked its 20th anniversary.

“As Chalk takes a step back, we ask you to keep moving forward. We are ever grateful for the last 20 years that gave us the chance to inspire others by sharing your stories. Now, it’s time for you to tell them and live them,” the publication said.

“Para sa aming kapwa kabataan (to our fellow youth): the future is yours. And it’s your turn to take charge. We’re more than certain that tomorrow is in capable hands,” they said.

Chalk is under ABS-CBN Publishing. It stopped releasing its print edition in 2017, moving all its content online.

After the House of Representatives denied ABS-CBN’s franchise, the media company said it has been forced to implement a retrenchment program starting August 31. – Rappler.com