NOW keen on TV, radio broadcasting

MANILA, Philippines — The NOW Group of businessman Mel Velarde has expressed strong interest to venture into television and radio broadcasting.

The group, composed of publicly listed NOW Corp., NOW Telecom and NOW Cable, said in a statement that it is interested in TV and radio broadcasting “due to its widespread coverage for news delivery, public information, and distance learning.”

NOW said its broadcasting affiliates have applied for radio frequencies and have ongoing applications for direct terrestrial television broadcast.

However, the group said it has not applied at the National Telecommunications Commission to secure ABS-CBN Channel 2 and AMCARA Broadcasting Network’s Channel 23, contrary to some reports.

Velarde said applying for TV and radio licenses is an obligation mandated in broadcasting franchises to operate granted by Congress and that there must be as many applications to fill the void created by the demise of ABS-CBN TV and radio signals in the air.

“The sooner this is done, and the most qualified applicants with verifiable and excellent track record can operate the said franchises, the better for the country since if these frequencies fall into the wrong hands, then the intent of Congress which represents the people shall be compromised,” he said.

The NOW Group and the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), which is also chaired by Velarde, are pushing for the immediate passage of the proposed Philippine Public Service Broadcasting Act (PPSB).

Velarde said NOW is supporting the proposed PPSB and is willing to provide the broadcasting and technology expertise, while AIJC would handle content and courseware creation.

The proposed PPSB system will be independent in programming with decentralized and self-sustaining local stations that will produce suitable programs for their respective communities.