A Veteran Host Speaks Up

More than a year since ABS-CBN was forced to go off the airwaves, Boy Abunda, widely known as the “King of Talk,” remains a voice of optimism. The 65-year-old veteran host, who has been a Kapamilya since 1999, continues to express unwavering confidence that the country’s largest network will someday make a triumphant return to free television.

In an emotional reflection, Abunda said:

“We may not have free TV now, but we continue to make noise. ABS-CBN may have been diminished, but it is still a major player. And I believe, with all my heart, that we will rise again.”

ABS-CBN After the Shutdown

The shutdown of ABS-CBN in May 2020 marked one of the darkest chapters in Philippine media history. When the House of Representatives denied its franchise renewal in July that year, the iconic Channel 2 and its radio frequencies were forced to go dark. For millions of Filipinos, the silence was deafening: a trusted source of news, entertainment, and public service had disappeared from their TV screens overnight.

Yet despite the blow, ABS-CBN quickly pivoted. The network forged blocktime agreements with other broadcasters, enabling shows to return to free TV in limited capacity. It expanded aggressively into digital platforms such as Kapamilya Online Live on Facebook and YouTube, and boosted its streaming service iWantTFC with new content and technical upgrades.

Abunda lauded the network’s ability to adapt, pointing out that ABS-CBN has remained at the center of Filipino pop culture through innovation and persistence.

“For whatever little we have, we’re doing the best we can. I’m proud of the Kapamilya spirit. We may be wounded, but we’re alive — and still leading in many ways.”

The King of Talk in a Digital World

Before the twin crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and the network’s franchise denial, Boy Abunda was one of the busiest hosts on television. He helmed Tonight with Boy Abunda, The Bottomline, and Inside the Cinema, appearing on screen almost daily.

When ABS-CBN lost its franchise, Abunda was among those who had to reinvent themselves overnight. He launched a YouTube channel and hosted The Best Talk on Kumu’s FYE Channel, venturing fully into digital.

At first, he admitted, it was daunting.

“I am television. My rhythm, my groove, my soul has always been television. Social media was unfamiliar, even dreadful. But I had to learn, because that is what the moment demanded.”

Still, he made no secret of his true preference:

“Given the choice, I will always go back to television. That’s my happy place, my safe space. When the director counts down ‘5, 4, 3, 2, 1,’ that’s when I feel most alive.”

A Hint of Return

What makes Abunda’s optimism resonate even more is his clear intention to return to ABS-CBN once the opportunity arises.

Close friends of the host reveal that while he has found success on digital platforms, Abunda sees them as a temporary stage rather than a permanent home. In private conversations, he has reportedly expressed his desire to once again walk the halls of the ABS-CBN Broadcast Center, to sit in front of the camera under the familiar studio lights, and to engage guests in the kind of live, unfiltered conversations he is known for.

When asked directly whether he plans to return, Abunda answered with a smile but without hesitation:

“My heart belongs to ABS-CBN. I never left in spirit, and when the day comes, I want to be back on its screen — because Kapamilya is forever.”

Hope as a Form of Resistance

For Abunda, hope is not mere optimism — it is an act of defiance. He sees the forced closure as unjust, but also as an opportunity to prove the resilience of the network and its people.

“We were pushed to the wall. We were brought down. But the law of gravity dictates that when you are down, the only way to go is up. We have been diminished too much — and that is why survival, and eventually triumph, is our destiny.”

His words echo the sentiment of many employees and viewers who see ABS-CBN not just as a company, but as a cultural institution. For decades, it has been the home of iconic programs, beloved teleseryes, groundbreaking news coverage, and national events that shaped Philippine history.

Fans Still Loyal

Despite losing its traditional broadcast platform, ABS-CBN remains dominant online. Its YouTube channels collectively have tens of millions of subscribers. Kapamilya Online Live streams attract hundreds of thousands of viewers daily, while teleseryes continue to trend on Twitter.

This, Abunda believes, is proof that the network’s bond with Filipinos remains unbroken.

“You can silence a channel, but you cannot silence a connection. The Kapamilya brand lives in the hearts of the people. That is why I am hopeful. That is why I believe in a comeback.”

The Future of ABS-CBN

Industry insiders continue to speculate on whether ABS-CBN will ever secure another franchise. Political realities remain challenging, but the network has survived by diversifying its content, partnering with global streaming giants, and exploring new business models.

For Abunda, however, the ultimate goal is unchanged: a full return to free TV.

“That countdown — ‘5, 4, 3, 2, 1’ — will come again. I don’t know when, but it will. And when it does, we will be ready.”

A Personal Mission

Beyond network loyalty, Boy Abunda’s hope is deeply personal. Television gave him his career, his identity, and his platform to shape conversations in Philippine society.

For him, returning to ABS-CBN is not just about reviving a channel. It is about reclaiming a space where truth, entertainment, and public service meet.

As he put it:

“Television is my home. ABS-CBN is my family. And no matter how long it takes, I will wait for the day we can come home again.”

Conclusion: A Nation Still Waiting

In the end, Boy Abunda’s optimism mirrors the longing of millions of Kapamilya fans who continue to watch, share, and support ABS-CBN’s content across platforms.

The story of ABS-CBN’s shutdown is still unfolding, but if Abunda’s words hold true, then the story is not one of finality but of resilience, survival, and eventual return.

Whether that return comes next year or in the distant future, one thing is certain: Boy Abunda will be there, ready to count down once more.