As door closes for Sky, window opens for Converge

MANILA, Philippines — Is cable TV in the Philippines dead? Broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. thinks otherwise, as it plans to even expand its presence in the pay TV segment with the impending shutdown of a major player.

As Sky Cable Corp. ceases its pay TV business, Converge is presenting itself as the most viable option for Filipinos who demand broadband and cable services in one.

Converge COO Jesus Romero said the looming closure of Sky Cable opens up an opportunity for the company to strengthen its pay TV presence.

Converge serves as the Philippine distributor of Pacific Kabelnet’s Vision, providing customers with access to local and international channels. Vision offers a monthly subscription worth P99 for 61 channels (59 SD and two HD) and P299 for 88 channels (78 SD and 10 HD).

As a value-added service, Vision requires a Converge subscription to access its pay TV offering as the product will not work if hooked to another provider. Likewise, Vision is available only in Metro Manila in compliance with the license granted to Converge.

“Now that Sky Cable is doing a shutdown, we are in a way forced (to expand in pay TV) because our customers are asking for this,” Romero said.

Romero admitted that Converge used to sell Vision to high-income customers only, but it plans to broaden its target markets with Sky Cable leaving the landscape.

Apart from this, Converge launched its streaming platform BlastTV in 2023 that subscribers can access free of charge.

BlastTV hosts content created by global producers like MGM Television, NBCUniversal Media, Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures. It features about 4,000 hours of content, mainly films and series, that can be viewed by any Converge subscriber.

However, Converge is struggling with the promotion of BlastTV’s premium media, as customers tend to exit the platform once they are asked to pay. Further, Romero noted that BlastTV is finding it difficult to widen its library of content with media giants pulling out of streaming sites as part of cost-cutting measures.

Sky Cable is scheduled to sign off its cable broadcast on Feb. 26, as it becomes a dedicated broadband operator under telco giant PLDT Inc.

As part of the P6.75-billion merger deal, Sky Cable is mandated to close its pay TV segment, marking the exit of one of the biggest and last providers of bundled cable and internet services.