NTC orders SkyCable to return original channeling of GMA-7

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered Lopez-owned Central CATV, Inc., which owns and operates Sky Cable, to return to its original channelling of GMA 7 over cable TV – from Channel 14 back to Channel 12 – or face possible disciplinary action, including cancellation of license to operate.

The NTC also ordered all other cable television companies, including Home Cable, to stop from arbitrarily changing channel assignments without prior approval by the commission.

GMA Network Inc. recently filed a complaint with the NTC over Central CATV’s alleged unilateral move to change GMA’s channel assignment from Channel 12 (which GMA occupied beginning 1995) to 14 without prior consultation. ABS-CBN, which used to occupy Channel 6, moved to 8, resulting in a movement of all other VHF (very high frequency) stations.

GMA also alleged that the change resulted in signal interferences, affecting its ratings.

In its order, the NTC ordered Central CATV to comply with Memorandum Circular No. 4-08-88 which governs mandatory carriage, manner of carriage, and channel number positioning or assignment of television stations under pain of severe disciplinary sanctions, including possible cancellation/revocation of respondent’s certificate of authority.

The NTC, headed by Armi Jane Borje, also directed all cable TV companies to carry television signals on their CATV system on the channel numbers at which the stations are transmitting, except when technically not feasible, in which case they shall be assigned the next nearest channel which does not cause interference.

This means that Channel 7 for instance should be transmitting at Channel 7, except when not feasible technically.

NTC also ordered all cable TV stations to cease from arbitrarily changing channel assignments without advance written notice to the TV stations, the public, and without approval by the commission.

GMA Network Inc. in its letter-protest filed last February requested the NTC to investigate the unilateral act of re-channeling of its VHF station in Metro Manila by Central CATV, Inc. and Philippine Home Cable Inc. and asked the NTC to order said cable companies to return and maintain the channel positioning of GMA’s VHF station at Channel 12 until the investigation is concluded.

It said the re-channeling was done arbitrarily without prior notice not only to the station, but also the public.

GMA added that this has sown confusion among television viewers and has also resulted to the degradation and distortion of GMA’s signal.

"GMA Network lauds the decision of the NTC consistent with its mandate to promote fairness against, and to protect the consumers from possible misapplication or misuse of powers by cableTV operators and other licensees, should exact compliance with the prevailing technical program and such other standards and requirements and not allow arbitrary re-assignments of channel positioning without sufficient prior written notice or advise to concerned TV stations, to the public and especially to the NTC for its approval," the network said in a statement.