ABS-CBN

After over 30 years, ABS-CBN to stop airing ‘TV Patrol’ local versions

Camille Elemia
After over 30 years, ABS-CBN to stop airing ‘TV Patrol’ local versions
All 12 local 'TV Patrol' programs will have their final newscasts on Friday, August 28, via Facebook and YouTube

Following its franchise rejection, media giant ABS-CBN will stop broadcasting its regional newscasts – a major loss of information source for Filipinos in provinces during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a press release on Wednesday, August 26, ABS-CBN said all 12 local TV Patrol programs will have their final newscasts on Friday, August 28, via Facebook and YouTube.

“ABS-CBN Regional serves Filipinos in remote areas not reached by other television signals. But more than delivering breaking news, ABS CBN Regional news teams are also the first to bring aid and relief to communities struck by calamities,” said ABS-CBN Regional head Tata Sy.

The network has 21 regional stations nationwide under ABS-CBN Regional. ABS-CBN, in a separate message to Rappler, said all its regional stations will close except Baguio, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro.

“Inspired by Kapitan Geny Lopez’s vision of building bridges in the air, ABS CBN Regional through its TV Patrol programs and public service has accomplished more than just building the proverbial bridges. In its distinctive way, ABS CBN Regional helped build a nation,” Sy said.

For over 30 years, ABS-CBN Regional has been producing various local editions of TV Patrol – the network’s flagship newscast – using viewers’ own dialects.

These include:

  • TV Patrol North Luzon – Baguio, Dagupan, Ilocos, Isabela, and Pampanga
  • TV Patrol Bicol – Naga, Legazpi
  • TV Patrol Palawan
  • TV Patrol Southern Tagalog – Calabarzon
  • TV Patrol Central Visayas – Cebu, Dumaguete, Bohol
  • TV Patrol Negros – Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental
  • TV Patrol Panay – Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras 
  • TV Patrol Eastern Visayas – Samar, Leyte 
  • TV Patrol Northern Mindanao – Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Caraga, Dipolog
  • TV Patrol South Central Mindanao –Soccsksargen, Cotabato
  • TV Patrol Southern Mindanao – Davao 
  • TV Patrol Chavacano – Zamboanga

ABS-CBN Regional will also stop producing new episodes of its 9 morning shows.

On top of these, its public service initiatives anchored on health, education, environment, and livelihood are also affected.

ABS-CBN was forced to go off-air early May due to a National Telecommunications Commission order. Lawmakers rejected its bid for a fresh franchise in July over alleged “numerous violations” – a decision widely condemned as politically motivated

Following its shutdown, ABS-CBN shifted its focus to its businesses that do not require a legislative franchise, including international licensing and distribution, digital and cable businesses, and content syndication via streaming services. (READ: FAST FACTS: Other businesses of ABS-CBN)

ABS-CBN Corporation suffered a massive net loss of P3.93 billion in the 1st half of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic and the denial of its franchise renewal. – Rappler.com

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Camille Elemia

Camille Elemia is a former multimedia reporter for Rappler. She covered media and disinformation, the Senate, the Office of the President, and politics.