FACT CHECK: ABS-CBN not returning to free TV
In June, ABS-CBN president Carlo Katigbak said that even if Congress were to grant them a new franchise, they can’t bring back the former national network since its frequencies were already redistributed to other broadcasters
Claim: Media network ABS-CBN has regained its franchise and is set to return to free television.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook post on September 1 has already received 19,000 reactions, 2,900 comments, and 310 shares as of writing.
The caption reads, “BREAKING BOMBSHELL: ABS-CBN Makes Unbelievable Comeback with Shocking Announcement Bringing Joy, Hope, and Promise to Millions of Kapamilya Fans Nationwide!”
The post used a photo of ABS-CBN president Carlo Katigbak and chairman Martin Lopez with text saying, “Nabawi na! ABS-CBN good news sa mga kapamilya (Recovered! ABS-CBN good news for supporters).”
The post links to an article claiming that ABS-CBN executives held a recent press conference to announce that “the Kapamilya Network is officially making its long-awaited comeback to free TV broadcasting.”
Many Facebook users believed the claim and expressed their excitement for the network, which ceased its television and radio broadcast operations after its franchise expired in 2020.
The facts: ABS-CBN’s franchise has not been renewed, and it is not returning to free television, contrary to the claim.
In June 2025, Katigbak said that the network has no plans to return to the free TV space. He added that even if Congress were to grant ABS-CBN a new franchise, they would not be able to rebuild the former national network since its frequencies were already redistributed to other broadcasters.
“Any solution that allows us to become a broadcaster again requires not just the franchise but the return of the frequencies that we used to use,” he said.
Businessman Manny Villar’s Advanced Media Broadcasting System acquired ABS-CBN frequencies in 2022. Since ABS-CBN was forced to shut down in 2020, it has shifted to content creation online, with its series and shows accessible on different social media platforms.
ABS-CBN shutdown: The National Telecommunications Commission ordered the shutdown of ABS-CBN on May 5, 2020, after its franchise expired.
Republic Act No. 7966, enacted in March 1995, granted the Lopez-led network a franchise to operate for 25 years. Congress took so long to deliberate on the network’s franchise, with the House eventually voting in July 2020 against the renewal.
Press freedom watchdogs saw the franchise denial as an attack on press freedom. Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s grudge towards ABS-CBN is believed to be the reason why the House killed its franchise application. It can be recalled that Duterte has previously accused the network of unfair reporting, tax evasion, and swindling for allegedly failing to broadcast his political ads in 2016. (READ: TIMELINE: Duterte against ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal)
Franchise renewal: Since the loss of its franchise, false claims about ABS-CBN’s comeback have circulated online.
In February 2024, ABS-CBN told the Philippine Stock Exchange, “It is not true that ABS-CBN is applying for a new franchise nor does it intend to buy back any of the assets it sold.” The statement was made following a circulating report that the network was planning to return to national television.
In February 2025, ABS-CBN also debunked claims that it would return to free-to-air television on Channel 3.
– Angelee Kaye Abelinde/Rappler.com
Angelee Kaye Abelinde is a student journalist based in Naga City, and an alumna of Rappler’s Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship 2024.
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