Digital terrestrial television has literally transformed the television viewing experience of many Filipino households providing clearer reception and enjoyable cable-like quality to their television sets. At the same time, the new technology becomes a major factor in the performance of a major television station in the ratings war.
ABS-CBN Corporation, the premiere media and entertainment company in the Philippines, has always been a definitive example to the said description and set the standard for television networks and stakeholders in the country in line with the upcoming transition to digital free TV with the ABS-CBN TV Plus digibox. Since its inception in February 2015, the digibox offers exclusive channels (Yey, Cinemo, DZMM Teleradyo, Knowledge Channel) and innovative features such as the TV Plus Tambayan and the Kapamilya Box Office prepaid PPV channel that cater to the viewing habits and demands of every member of the Filipino viewing household without the need of paying a monthly subscription fee.
At the recently held summer trade event, ABS-CBN announced that the digibox has literally boosted the network's performance in the ratings war as more Filipinos continue to enjoy the crystal-clear viewing experience with TV Plus. In fact, based on data from Kantar Media, the network's audience share in Mega Manila gradually increased to 36% in the first quarter of 2017 which is six points lower than its 30% share about two years ago. The ratings in the said area have also increased to 14% compared to 2015's 11%. With that in mind, I would say that ABS-CBN TV Plus is doing a great job in providing its customers with what they want for their own television sets - pay TV without the need to pay a monthly fee.
I, myself, am looking forward to what is in store for the first commercially-released digital television product in the country as it sets to expand its reach and continue its own brand of offerings for its current and aspiring users. Hopefully, it would do well even every analog TV broadcast in the country is deemed obsolete.
