ABS-CBN, MediaQuest maghahati na sa shares ng TV5

INANUNSYO ng ABS-CBN at TV5 ang isang investment agreement para makuha ng Kapamilya Network ang 34.99% ang total voting at outstanding capital stock ng Kapatid Network sa aggregate subscription price na P2.16 bilyon.

Nangyari ang partnership dalawang taon matapos mawala sa free TV ang Kapamilya Network sa pagkakapaso ng kanilang legislative franchise sa Channel 2.

“After the consummation of this subscription, the MediaQuest group’s equity in TV5 will be reduced to 64.79% of the voting and outstanding capital stock and the MediaQuest group will remain to be the controlling shareholder of TV5,” ayon sa pahayag na inilabas ng ABS-CBN.

“Simultaneously with the execution of the Investment Agreement, the parties will execute a Convertible Note Agreement pursuant to which ABS-CBN to invest in a Convertible Note with a face value of Php1.84Bn to be issued by TV5 (the “Convertible Note”).”

Bibigyang kapangyarihan ng convertible note na ito ang ABS-CBN na makakuha ng karagdagang primary common shares sa TV5 matapos ang walong taon mula sa issuance nito.

Matapos niyan, lalaki ang equity ng ABS-CBN sa Kapatid Network ng hindi lalagpas sa 49.92% ng outstanding capital stock nito.

“The proceeds of the subscription in the primary common shares and the Convertible Note in the total amount of Php4Bn will fund the capital expenditures and operating expenses of TV5 in pursuing the enhancements of its content and programming and public service offerings,” dagdag pa ng pahayag.

Samantala, nakuha rin ng Cignal Cable 38.88% shares ng Sky Cable Corp. sa mga negosasyon.

Pinaplano ng transaksyong ito na patindihin ang kapasidad ng TV5 na maghatid ng content at coverage sa mamamayang Pilipino sa larangan ng entertainment, sports at public service. Inaasahang makukumpleto ang transaksyon ngayong Agosto 2022.

Winelcome naman ni Manny V Pangilinan, charperson ng Mediaquest Holdings, ang pagpasok at investment ng ABS-CBN sa TV5, lalo na’t matagal nang leading developer at provider ng Filipino-related entertainment content ang nabanggit hindi lang sa Pilipinas ngunit pati sa ibang bansa.

“Our companies have always had these cherished values of providing top and quality programs in the service of the Filipino people and together we believe we can achieve this in greater measure and success,” ani Pangilinan.

Excited naman na raw si Mark Lopez, chairperson ng ABS-CBN, sa naturang partnership, ngayong nakikita nilang oportunidad ito ng TV5 para lumaki at mapalakas ang free-to-air network nito.

Ayon naman kay Carlo Katigbak, presidente at chief executive officer (CEO) ng ABS-CBN, na ang pagsasamang ito ay swak sa strategic intention ng ABS-CBN na mag-evolve bilang isang “storytelling company” na may layong maabot ang pinakamalawak na audience.

“In partnership with TV5, we look forward to reaching viewers both on owned platforms and through other broadcast partners, thereby enriching the Philippine creative industry,” wika ni Katigbak.

“We hope the industry evolves from being highly competitive to increasingly collaborative, which benefits all stakeholders in the long run.”

Dumating ang partnership matapos lumaki nang lumaki ang pakikipagtulungan ng ABS-CBN at TV5, kung saan marami sa mga Kapamilya shows ay mapapanood na sa Kapatid Network.

Ang dating frequencies ng ABS-CBN sa free TV ay napunta sa Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS) ni dating Sen. Manny Villar.

Ilang beses nang sinusubukan ng ilang mambabatas na i-renew ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN ngunit hindi pa rin pumapasa sa Konggreso.  (Daris Jose)