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This article is about cable television provider in the Philippines. For other uses, see Sky (disambiguation).
SkyCable
TypeCable Television
Country
Philippines Philippines
AvailabilityNational
Headquarters33rd Floor, Tektite Towers, Philippine Stock Exchange, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines
OwnerSkyCable Corporation
Launch date
January 26, 1992
Official website
www.skycable.com

SkyCable is a direct-to-home cable TV subscription service and the largest cable company in the Philippines. It is established by the Lopez and Central CATV group of companies, and one of ABS-CBN Corporation subsidiaries. It should not be confused as another service of British Sky Broadcasting in the United Kingdom, neither it nor its parent company, News Corporation, owns interest in SkyCable even the latter carries STAR TV and Fox International Channels. On January 1990, SkyCable was founded and started its CATV operation on January 26, 1992 and rolled out 8,500 miles of fiber optic cables. In 1995, SkyCable grew its subscriber base to 20,000 subscribers.[1] In 2006, it launched Silver Prepaid, the first prepaid cable TV service in the Philippines and expanded its business by venturing into Internet and VoIP services in 2008.[2] Today, it has over half a million subscribers.[3][4]

History

Since it started community antenna television system operation in the Philippines on January 26, 1992, SkyCable provides cable Internet, VoIP services and digital cable TV service.

  • On June 6, 1990, SkyCable Corporation was incorporated via 79.3% stake in Sky Vision Corporation, operator of cable brands, SkyCable and Sun Cable.[5]
  • On April 18, 1991, Sky Vision Corporation was incorporated and ventures into cable television (SkyCable and Sun Cable), communication, system, television media, shopping network (Sky Mall) and film distribution (Sky Jemah). It is owned 18.8% by ABS-CBN Corporation and 78% by Lopez Inc.[5]
  • On March 30, 1995, Central CATV Inc. was granted a 25-year provisional franchise to establish, construct, maintain and operated community antenna television system in the Philippines through Republic Act 7969.[6]
  • In 1997, Sky Vision Corporation acquired 47% of Pilipino Cable Corp., operator of Sun Cable for P900 million.[7]
  • In 1997, SkyCable launches its first cable TV branded credit card in the Philippines, the SkyCard Mastercard with SolidBank and the SkyCard-Citibank Mastercard with Citibank N.A.[8]
  • In 2001, Benpress Holdings Inc. and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company signed a master consolidation agreement for SkyCable Corporation to consolidate its interest.[9]
  • In July 2001, Unilink Communications Corp. operator of Home Cable, Philippines second largest cable TV company, merged its CATV operation to SkyCable and created Beyond Cable Inc. with an enterprise value of P14.5 billion. Beyond Cable Inc. controls 66.5% through Benpress Holdings Corp. and 33.5% through MediaQuest Holdings, Inc.[10][11]
  • On December 7, 2001, Beyond Cable Holdings Inc. was incorporated.[5]
  • In May 2011, Singaporean firm STT Communications Pte. Ltd. acquired 40 percent of SkyCable through Philippine Depositary Receipts worth P3.612 billion and P250 million of convertible notes to fund the expansion of SkyCable’s broadband Internet and cable TV services.[12]

Company timeline

1990

  • January 1990 – SkyCable is founded.[13]

1992

1993

1994

  • SkyCable launched The "i" channel and Sky Movies (its first local movie channel) replacing HBO Asia.
  • SkyCable launched its own shopping channel, Sky Mall replacing Sky Shop.[8][17]
  • January 1, 1994 – SkyCable launched Asia Business News.
  • June 12, 1994 – SkyCable launched Sky1: The Filipino Channel (later renamed to Pinoy Blockbuster Channel then to Cinema One.

1995

1996

1997

  • June 1997 – SkyCable launched its first cable TV branded credit card in the Philippines in partnership with SolidBank Corporation, the SkyCard Mastercard.[8]
  • SkyCable removed Discovery Channel and launched its first documentary channel, the Knowledge Channel.[23]
  • August 31, 1997 – SkyCable launched MGM Gold.[24]
  • November 30, 1997 – SkyCable changed its channel guide; Studio 23 moves to channel 23.
  • December 15, 1997 – SkyCable launched Hallmark Channel (now Diva Universal).

1998

1999

  • January 1, 1999 – The "i" channel ceased airing on SkyCable.
  • May 1, 1999 – SkyCable removed STAR Movies and replaced by Nickelodeon as an add-on channel.
  • May–June 1999 – SkyCable removed STAR World and Channel V.[30]
  • July 11, 1999 – SkyCable launched Lifestyle Network.[31]
  • August 1, 1999 – SkyCable removed AXN.[30]
  • October 1999 – SkyCable relaunched Discovery Channel.
  • November 6, 1999 – SkyCable relaunched Knowledge Channel as an educational cable channel, replacing the old Knowledge Channel, as documentary channel.

2000

  • May 1, 2000 – SkyCable relaunched AXN.
  • September 2000 – SkyCable relaunched SkyCard Mastercard to SkyCard-Citibank Mastercard in partnership with Citibank N.A.[8][32]

2001

  • May 20, 2001 – Cinema One replaced Pinoy Blockbuster Channel as a digital Filipino movie channel.
  • October 19, 2001 – SkyCable acquired Home Cable.[33] SkyCable also launched its own sports channel (channel 29).[30]
  • December 31, 2001 – SkyCable launched ABC Asia Pacific (now Australia Network).[34]

2002

2003

2004

  • May 7, 2004 – SkyCable launched ETC and Sports Plus (now a defunct channel).
  • July 1, 2004 – SkyCable changed their hotline number to 631-0000.

2005

2006

2007

  • April 12, 2007 – SkyCable launched DZMM TeleRadyo on channel 22,[43] moving MTV Philippines (now a defunct channel) on channel 57 and Channel News Asia to channel 79.
  • June 26, 2007 – SkyCable reformatted SkySked on channel 11.
  • August 13, 2007 – Channel realignment: DZMM TeleRadyo to channel 26, Zpdee to channel 61, Iglesia Ni Cristo TV to channel 22, and NHK World Premium to channel 78.
  • August 15, 2007 – SkyCable launched Makisig Network (formerly Karera Channel) on channel 76.[44]
  • September 1, 2007 – Balls conducted test broadcast, aired the 2007 US Open.
  • September 15, 2007 – MySky conducted test broadcast on channel 33.
  • November 7, 2007 – Channel realignment: Velvet on channel 25, Balls on channel 33 and Maxxx (now a defunct channel) on channel 61 (test broadcast), while CUBEiTV to channel 67.

2008

2009

2010

2011

  • January 15, 2011 – SkyCable launched CBeebies on channel 144 replacing Playhouse Disney. Consequently, Playhouse Disney moved to channel 66, taking the slot of KidsCo, the latter moved to channel 153.[80][81][82]
  • January 24, 2011 – Channel realignment: KidsCo to channel 151 replacing Wine TV. Channel 135 is now a reserved channel.
  • February 20, 2011 – Q ceased commercial operation.
  • February 28, 2011 – GMA News TV started commercial operation on channel 11.
  • March 1, 2011 – Zoe TV rebranded as Light TV 33.
  • March 2, 2011 – ETC moved its programming operation on RPN, [83] while Solar TV ceased commercial broadcast. Talk TV started its test broadcast on channel 21.
  • March 21, 2011 – SkyCable launched Digibox iRecord.[84]
  • March 26, 2011 – SkyCable temporarily ceased Channel [V] Philippines broadcast and replaced it with Preview Channel on channel 53.
  • April 1, 2011 – Talk TV began its proper broadcast.
  • April 30, 2011 – SkyCable launched AksyonTV on channel 41 moving EWTN to channel 108 as its originating channel.

Channel line-up

Below is a numerical representation of current SkyCable channel lineup in Metropolitan Manila excluding CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) area. The following lists are lifted from its SkySked Channel on its digital platform.[85]

Genre
Local Movies General Entertainment Documentary Kids
News Sports Music Foreign Religious
Channel Network Minimum Package Group(s) Notes
2 ABS-CBN Plan 280
4 NBN Plan 280
5 TV5 Plan 280
7 GMA Plan 280
9 ETC Plan 280 Currently using RPN frequency.
11 GMA News TV Plan 280 Currently using ZOE frequency.
13 IBC Plan 280
21 Talk TV Plan 280 Currently using SBN frequency.
23 Studio 23 Plan 280
25 Net 25 Plan 280
29 2ndavenue Plan 280 Currently using RJTV frequency.
33 Light TV 33 Plan 280 Currently using Zoe TV frequency.
37 UNTV Plan 280
39 SMNI Plan 280
41 AksyonTV Plan 280 Available only on digital platform.
45 3ABN International Plan 280
49 GEM TV Plan 280
50 Universal Channel Plan 280
51 Asian Food Channel Plan 280
52 MYX Plan 280
53 Preview Channel Plan 280 Currently airs Discovery Home & Health until May 20, 2011.
54 DZMM TeleRadyo Plan 280
55 ANC Plus
56 CNN International Plan 280
57 BBC World News Plan 280
58 Bloomberg Television Silver
59 ESPN Silver
60 STAR Sports Silver
61 Basketball TV Plan 280 Available only on digital platform.
62 Balls Plan 280
63 AXN Beyond Silver
64 MAX Gold
65 Diva Universal Gold
66 Playhouse Disney Plan 499 or Gold
67 Discovery Channel Plus, Max or Gold
68 Animal Planet Plus or Gold
69 National Geographic Channel Plan 280
70 Knowledge Channel Plan 280
71 Cartoon Network Plan 280
72 Hero TV Plan 280
73 Nickelodeon Plan 280
74 Animax Silver
75 Disney Channel Plan 280
76 STAR World Plan 280
77 AXN Plan 280
78 Fox Max
79 Jack TV Plan 280 or Plan 499
80 Lifestyle Network Plan 280 or Silver
81 Velvet Plan 280 or Silver
82 HBO Plan 499
83 STAR Movies Plus or Plan 499
84 Cinema One Plan 280
85 Fox Crime Silver
86 TV Shopping/SkySked Plan 280
87 Shop TV Plan 280
88 Chinese Entertainment Channel Plan 280 Template:Zh icon
89 Sky Cable Season Pass Pay-Per-View This channel assignment may vary from time to time.
90 History Plus, Max or Silver
92 Bio Plus, Max or Silver
93 MTV Southeast Asia Silver
94 Channel News Asia Silver
95 Crime & Investigation Network Premium
100 All Sports Network Premium
101 Solar Sports Plan 499
102 NBA Premium TV Premium
103 DW-TV Asien Plan 280 Template:De icon
104 TVE Plan 280 Template:Es icon
105 TV5MONDE Asie Plan 280 Template:Fr icon
107 KBS World Plan 280 Template:Ko icon
108 EWTN Plan 280
110 Saudi 1 Plan 280 Template:Ar icon
111 NHK World Premium Silver Template:Ja icon
112 Reserved
113 Reserved
114 Reserved
115 Reserved
116 Reserved
117 Reserved
120 The Game Channel On test broadcast.
124 Living Asia Channel Plan 280
125 HBO Hits Platinum (HBO Pak)
126 HBO Signature Platinum (HBO Pak)
127 HBO Family Platinum (HBO Pak)
130 TCM Platinum (Metro Pack)
131 MGM Channel Platinum (Metro Pack)
132 HLN Platinum (Metro Pack)
133 CNBC Plus or Gold
134 Fox News Channel Gold
135 CGE.TV Plan 280
137 TLC Max or Platinum (Metro Pack)
140 Discovery Home & Health Platinum (Metro Pack)
141 Discovery Turbo Plus or Platinum (Metro Pack)
142 Discovery Science Platinum (Metro Pack)
143 Nat Geo Adventure Platinum (Metro Pack)
144 Boomerang Platinum (Metro Pack)
145 CBeebies Platinum (Metro Pack)
146 Australia Network Plan 499 or Silver
151 KidsCo Platinum (Metro Pack)
152 Fashion TV Platinum (Metro Pack)
153 San Lazaro Broadcasting Network Plan 280
154 Iglesia ni Cristo TV Plan 280
155 Familyland Platinum (Metro Pack)
156 CTS Platinum (Metro Pack) Template:Ko icon
161 CCTV News Platinum (Metro Pack) Template:Zh icon
162 STAR Plus Platinum (Metro Pack) Template:Hi icon
163 Arirang TV Plan 280 Template:Ko icon
164 MBC Platinum (MBC Pack) Template:Ko icon
165 SBS Platinum (SBS Pack) Template:Ko icon
166 Voice of America Plan 280 Multilingual
167 Al Jazeera English Silver
171 STAR News Premium Template:Hi icon
172 STAR One Premium Template:Hi icon
173 STAR Gold Premium Template:Hi icon
174 Euronews Plan 280
175 FX Silver
176 Phoenix InfoNews Channel Premium Template:Zh icon
177 Phoenix Chinese Channel Premium Template:Zh icon
178 STAR Chinese Movies Premium Template:Zh icon
179 Star Chinese Movies 2 Premium Template:Zh icon
180 TV Maria Plan 280
181 Discovery HD World HD Innovation
182 History HD HD Innovation
183 HBO HD HD Innovation
184 Sky Cable Season Pass PPV HD This channel assignment may vary from time to time.
185 NBA Premium TV HD HD Revolution
186 Fox Crime HD HD Revolution
187 STAR Movies HD HD Revolution
188 National Geographic Channel HD HD Revolution
189 ESPN HD HD Innovation and Revolution

Basic cable packages

In order to be competitive in the cable TV industry, SkyCable adopts an alternative pricing model for its subscribers. It allows its subscribers to select their own packages or channels, comparable to a pay per channel service most generally used in the United States. SkyCable also introduces the package-pricing model typically used by other cable television providers in which channels are classified into packages.

Postpaid

The SkyCable postpaid bundles are categorized into 9 clusters named as Select, 280, Plus, 499, Max, Silver, Gold, Platinum, HD and a separate payment scheme for its Premium/Pay-Per-View.[73]

  • Select: It is a customizable plan that allows its subscribers to choose channels on top of their preset package. Select plan is available on existing subscription either from Select 280, Plan 499, Silver or Gold plans and also requires a digital set-top boxes.[86]
  • 280: SkyCable Select 280 package consists of more than 20 basic channels on movies, general entertainment, documentaries, kids, sports, music and news.[87]
  • Plus: SkyCable Plus package consists of 55 channels.[88]
  • 499: Plan 499 package consists of 51 channels.[89]
  • Max: SkyCable Max package consists of 58 channels.[90]
  • Silver: SkyCable Silver package consists of 74 channels.[91]
  • Gold: SkyCable Gold package consists of more than 79 channels.[92][93]
  • Platinum: SkyCable Platinum consists of four packages, namely, HBO Pak, Metro Pack, MBC Pack and the SBS Pack. The HBO Pak includes three additional HBO channels: HBO Hits, HBO Signature and HBO Family. The Metro Pack is a combination of programs on current events, exploration, lifestyle, and flicks; and for the young ones. In addition to its HBO and Metro, the MBC and SBS Pack offers MBC, a South Korean television and radio networks, particularly famous for its dramas and comedies; and SBS or the Seoul Broadcasting System is also a television and radio networks in South Korea offering contents such as drama, entertainment, documentary and animation programs and engaged in the exhibition, concert and other cultural businesses, respectively.[94][95]
  • HD (Innovation, Revolution and Bundle): Currently, there are three HD packages available, the HD Innovation includes Discovery HD World, History HD and HBO HD; HD Revolution comprises Fox Crime HD, STAR Movies HD, National Geographic Channel HD; and HD Bundle that incorporates HD Innovation and Revolution packages;[96] and a separate payment scheme for PPV (pay-per-view) HD and NBA Premium TV HD[73] while ESPN HD will be an add-on channel to its all HD packages.[97]
  • Premium/Pay-Per-View: Aside from different postpaid plans, SkyCable also offers premium subscription and pay-per-view scheme to its subscribers on top of their monthly subscription fee.[98]

Prepaid

SkyCable also offers prepaid packages to its cable TV service, the Silver Prepaid and Select Plus Prepaid. It is a prepaid cable TV service based on a non-recurring subscription scheme and allows non-postpaid customers to subscribe to selected channels and pay only for the desire duration of viewing and the service requires a digital addressable set-top boxes. The prepaid plans comes in an array of card denomination to choose from that is suitable to its non-postpaid subscribers. Currently, Silver Prepaid and Select Plus Prepaid packages comes in similar denomination: 3, 15 and 30 days.[99]

  • Silver Prepaid: Consists of more than 70 channels.[100]
  • Select Plus Prepaid: Consists of more than 60 channels.[101]

Cable services

SkyCable coverage area for analog cable TV is available in selected areas in Metropolitan Manila and its suburb while its digital services covers key cities in the Philippines. It offers basic to premium cable TV services.

Digital system

In an ongoing exertion to battle cable piracy and averting illegitimate connections,[102] SkyCable through SkyCable Digital adopts digital video broadcasting for cable or DVB-C. It is a standard for transmitting digital television signal over cable. SkyCable uses digital video compression or distribution through its digital addressable box or the Digibox, a digital set-top box that uses the DVB-C broadcast standard to give its subscribers access to its digital infrastructure.[103]

Set-top box

The Digibox provides an enhanced viewing experience with features such as crystal clear picture quality; allowing its users to customize its viewing preferences by organizing its channels and useful programming information by its real-time onscreen electronic program guide with highlights and synopsis of every program shown; and an in-house mail function for its technical and corporate announcements.[104] One key feature of the Digibox is the parental control lock that can pre-select channels and set an automatic parental rating level that locks programs or channels. It also has built-in games, the classic Tetris and GoBang.[103]

  • First Generation (Black/Silver SD-First Edition): The CDVBC5120 (first edition) is a cable digital receiver used to decode digital program sdistributed by CATV or MMDS. Designed for operators who utilize Irdeto front end, the receiver supports Irdeto CA. The available S/P DIF digital audio output brings users excellent enjoyment. Other features are: powerful single chip LSI SC2005, DVB-C/MPEG2 compliant, multi-QAM demodulation selection over QAM16, QAM32, QAM64, QAM128 and QAM256, mail and message functionality and support for Finger Print Display with aspect ratio of 4:3 and 16:9 on PAL/NTSC resolution.[105]
  • Second Generation (Silver SD-Second Edition): The CDVBC5120 (second edition) is a compact standard definition digital receiver. designed for pay TV-terrestrial television operators based on the DVB-C EN300 429 demodulation standard. The product supports MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 Layer 1 and 2 for audio decoding on ISO/IEC 13818-3 while its video decoding uses the ISO/IEC 13818-2, MPEG-2 MP@Ml standard with an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9 on PAL/NTSC resolution. It also uses the ISO/IEC 1381801 demultiplexer standard.[106]
  • Third Generation (Black SD): The N5166 is a low cost compact SD digital receiver, designed for both free-to-air and pay TV cable services based on the DVB-C EN300 429 demodulation standard. The product is based on ISO/IEC 13818-3 audio standards and supports MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 Layer 1 and 2 audio decoding. Its video decoding uses ISO/IEC 13818-2, MPEG-2 MP@Ml standard with an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9 on PAL/NTSC/Auto resolution. It also uses the ISO/IEC 1381801 demultiplexer standard.[107]
  • Fourth Generation (White HD): The CDVBC-8750 HDTV provides standard and high definition reception based on the DVB-C EN300 429 demodulation standard using ISO/IEC 13818-1 demultiplexer. Its video decoding uses ISO/IEC 13818-2MP/HL, ISO/IEC 14496 with an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9, and using a 1920x1980 video resolution while its audio uses ISO/IEC 13818-3, AAC, Dolby AC3 on MPEG1 Layer 1 and 2.[108]
  • Fifth Generation (Silver SD/HD PVR): is an advanced and full-featured SD/HD DVR digital receiver, optimized for pay-TV cable services. The product provides standard and high definition reception based on MPEG4 (H.264)/MPEG2 and DVB-C standards. With full suite of content protection facilities, it enables viewers to download premium, pay-TV content on its hard disk drive to watch at their convenience. It uses HDMI and cable components, with Dolby Digital sound and digital video broadcasting.

Smart card

SkyCable Digital’s Digibox conveys programming with encryption to alleviate signal piracy. It utilizes ISO/IEC 7816 smart cards, which transmit digital signals to the receiver to decrypt the programming for viewing. To fully consummate the Digibox, it uses Irdeto Access B.V. smart cards, which are ISO/IEC 7816 compliant. It is given to all subscribers with standard and high definition set-top boxes. The smart card stores the subscriber’s information and the plan to which they subscribe.[109]

High-definition channels

On September 19, 2008, SkyCable initiated the pay-per-view broadcast of the 2008 Ryder Cup[110] golf tournament in high-definition (HD). It is transmitted in 1080i resolution and paves the way for the Philippines to convey the first HD signal. In July 2009, Skycable also commenced a locally produced HD program through, now the defunct Balls HD, the collegiate basketball tournament—University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.[111] At present, SkyCable offers nine HD channels accessible through separate payment. Lineup consists of Discovery HD World, History HD, National Geographic Channel HD, HBO HD, NBA Premium TV HD, STAR Movies HD, Fox Crime HD, ESPN HD and the PPV (pay-per-view) HD.[97][112]

Personal video recording

On December 8, 2010, SkyCable announced that it would launch a new service similar to U.S.-based TiVo for its high and standard definition services within the first quarter of 2011.[113] Initially, the service will be called PVR or personal video recording, which has a 500GB internal hard drive enough to record 135 hours of cable programs in high definition or 217 hours for its standard definition service. Distinct from regular digital video recorders, the PVR uses the built-in electronic program guide that enables its subscribers which programs to be recorded. The new service will also feature Timeshift, a new way of recording programs to be viewed to at a time more opportune to its subscribers, and that would also allow recording of favorite programs on a time delay basis. Timeshift will also allow its subscribers or has the ability to pause live broadcast and in slow motion.[114] On March 21, 2011, SkyCable launches its first personal video recording in the Philippines, the iRecord. It is an enhanced version of its digibox. It allows subscribers to record cable programs up to 145 hours in standard definition or 86 hours in high definition platform. It comes with a 320GB disk space.[115]

Former services

SkyCard Mastercard/SkyCard-Citibank Mastercard

File:Skycard mastercard.jpg
The first cable TV branded credit card in the Philippines.

In June 1997, SkyCable in partnership with SolidBank Corporation through Solidcard Products Corp. launches the first cable TV branded credit card in the Philippines, the SkyCard Mastercard. A fully-integrated credit card exclusive to its qualified subscribers. At the height of partnership, First Metro Investment Corp., a financing house of Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company is in talks with SolidBank Corp. for possible merger and acquisition.[8][116] On June 1, 2000, First Metro Investment Corp. fully acquired the financial and non-real estate resources of SolidBank.[117] And on September 22, 2000, First Metro Investment Corp. completed its acquisition of SolidBank Corp. and its subsidiaries AB Card and Solidcard Products corporations and launches its own brand, the Metrobank Value Mastercard. At the time of the merger, SkyCable through Sky Vision Corporation turned its financial facilities and transferred its SkyCard Mastercard accounts to Citibank N.A. and rebranded it to SkyCard-Citibank Mastercard. Months after it was launched, the SkyCard-Citibank Mastercard failed to reach its target market and eventually ended the partnership.[32]

Controversies

Alleged GMA Network signal tampering/distortion

In February 2003, Philippine television network, GMA, one of ABS-CBN closest competitor complained about the alleged tampering, distortion of cable signal and unilaterally rechanneling the free-to-air TV channels in Metropolitan Manila without securing an approval from local authorities, the National Telecommunication Commission. Local authorities decided on April 25, 2003 that SkyCable violated the provisions of Memorandum Circular 4-08-88 and ordered to carry the free-to-air television signal on its system except when theoretically impracticable. It also ordered SkyCable to faithfully and strictly conforms with the requirements and to conclude from randomly changing channel assignments without notice and approval from local authorities. As a result, SkyCable filed a motion for reconsideration addressing the rule invalidate the means as it conflicts with a state law on intellectual property but local authorities denied the motion and directed SkyCable to comply with its previous decision. Consequently, the latter filed another appeal through an appellate court but still rejected their request and ordered them to conform to local authorities resolution.[118]

Solar Entertainment’s channels ousted

Purportedly losing advertising revenue to Solar Entertainment’s channels which favored by advertisers for its cheaper airtime rates, SkyCable decided in January 2008 to dislodge Solar’s six channels namely, Basketball TV, Solar Sports, ETC, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV and Crime/Suspense) in favor for its in-house programming created by its local subsidiary, Creative Programs, Inc.[45] SkyCable explicates the changes was an introduction of new channels and part of company’s effort to simplify its service and removing redundant channels. The latter wanted to streamline and strengthen its programming, thus launching six new channels, AXN Beyond, Balls, Fox Crime, KidsCo, Maxxx and Velvet. In July 2010, almost two years after SkyCable ousted Solar Entertainment channels; the cable company ties up again with the content provider.[119]

STAR TV pulled its plug

Due to programming costs, STAR TV pulled its plug over SkyCable while a negotiation was still in the offing. In May 1999, STAR TV decided to unilaterall ceased its entire channel signal and demanded SkyCable to carry STAR Movies, STAR World, STAR Sports, ESPN, Viva Cinema, Channel V, STAR Movies Mandarin (now STAR Chinese Movies) and the National Geographic Channel (formerly NBC Asia) and asked the cable company to pay twice the amount from its original contract. As a result, SkyCable dropped STAR TV channels and its affiliates and launches Lifestyle Network. After three years of absence, SkyCable and its sister company, Home Cable relaunched the STAR TV lineup.[30]

SkyCable axes AXN

On August 1, 1999, SkyCable axes AXN from its programming lineup due to low and poor content, and too much violence on its programming. In addition to various complains from its subscribers, no new programming lineup was offered by AXN. Consequently, SkyCable replaced AXN with a business channel, Bloomberg Television. In October 2000, AXN resumed its broadcast in SkyCable and offered AXN to its programming lineup as one of its exclusive channels.[30]

TV5 files complaint

On March 14, 2011 local television network, TV5 through its parent company, Associated Broadcasting Company filed a complaint to the local National Telecommunications Commission against SkyCable. The latter accused SkyCable of unfair practice for refusing to carry its news channel, Aksyon TV. Under NTC Memorandum Circular 4-08-88, all cable and satellite companies in the Philippines must carry all free-to-air local channels on its lineup.[120][121] On April 1, 2011, SkyCable announced the inclusion of AksyonTV to its lineup effective May 4 on channel 61 which is currently being occupied by a religious channel, EWTN. However on April 28, 2011, SkyCable said it would start airing the said news channel on April 30, four days earlier from its original pronouncement.

Gallery

  • First Generation (CDVBC-5120 - first edition) Standard Definition Digibox
    First Generation (CDVBC-5120 - first edition) Standard Definition Digibox
  • Second Generation (CDVBC-5120 - second edition) Standard Definition Digibox
    Second Generation (CDVBC-5120 - second edition) Standard Definition Digibox
  • Third Generation (N5166) Standard Definition Digibox
    Third Generation (N5166) Standard Definition Digibox
  • Fourth Generation (CDVBC-8750) High Definition Digibox
    Fourth Generation (CDVBC-8750) High Definition Digibox
  • Irdeto Access B.V. smart cards, ISO/IEC 7816 compliant
    Irdeto Access B.V. smart cards, ISO/IEC 7816 compliant
  • Second Generation (CDVBC-5120) Remote Control
    Second Generation (CDVBC-5120) Remote Control
  • Third Generation (N5166) Remote Control
    Third Generation (N5166) Remote Control
  • Fourth Generation (CDVBC-8750) Remote Control
    Fourth Generation (CDVBC-8750) Remote Control

References

  1. ^ SkyCable website under Corporate, subcategory Company history
  2. ^ SkyCable History Data retrieved via www.mysky.com.ph 10-22-2010
  3. ^ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=637386&publicationSubCategoryId=66
  4. ^ http://www.manilatimes.net/business/skycable-to-accelerate-spending-for-cable-broadband-businesses/
  5. ^ a b c http://www.pse.com.ph/html/ListedCompanies/pdf/2010/ABS_17A_Apr2010.pdf
  6. ^ http://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno7969.html
  7. ^ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=67845
  8. ^ a b c d e http://www.lopez-holdings.ph/news.php?id=108
  9. ^ http://www.lopez-holdings.ph/portfolio.php?id=40
  10. ^ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=96588
  11. ^ http://cerphin.net/balita/GMA-Network-opposes-SkyCableHome-Cable-full-consolidation/artikulo/46977/
  12. ^ http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20110512-336178/Singaporean-firm-gets-40-of-SkyCable
  13. ^ SkyCable website under Corporate, subcategory Company history
  14. ^ SkyCable website under Corporate, subcategory Company history
  15. ^ a b c d http://www.hboasia.com/hbo/milestones
  16. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STAR_Sports
  17. ^ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=551394
  18. ^ a b http://www.cargonewsasia.com/timesnet/data/ab/docs/ab1111.html
  19. ^ a b c d http://www.newsonnews.net/cnbc/asia/
  20. ^ http://www.scribd.com/doc/40626197/Star
  21. ^ Asian Institute of Management data
  22. ^ HBO Milestones
  23. ^ http://www.knowledgechannel.org/about.php
  24. ^ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1996_June_10/ai_18373452/
  25. ^ http://telebisyon.net/Venta5/
  26. ^ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9900EED71F3DF93BA35751C1A961958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
  27. ^ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-20447074.html
  28. ^ http://marshallinside.usc.edu/mweinstein/teaching/fbe552/552secure/notes/International%20cable.html
  29. ^ http://www.nbc.com/nbc/header/Corporate_Info8.shtml
  30. ^ a b c d e http://www.inquirer.net/saturday/jul99wk5/spc_4.htm
  31. ^ http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/1650297
  32. ^ a b http://www.asianbanks.net/HTML/Files/MBT%2020001231.pdf
  33. ^ http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/be/be003946.htm
  34. ^ http://www.philippines.embassy.gov.au/mnla/medrel1307.html
  35. ^ http://www.pcij.org/imag/Media/cabletv2.html
  36. ^ http://www.pcij.org/imag/Media/cabletv2.html
  37. ^ http://www.pcij.org/imag/Media/cabletv2.html
  38. ^ GMAnews.tv, Business News http://www.gmanews.tv/story/101267/Lopez-buys-out-Sun-Cable-prepares-for-SkyCable-share-sale
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  40. ^ http://www.mgmchannel.com/estonia/press/content/April_6,_2006_1.html
  41. ^ http://www.mgmchannel.com/singapore/page/26/10/about-the-mgm-channel.html
  42. ^ http://www.gmanews.tv/story/10278/lopez-led-skycable-to-air-gma-7s-qtv-channel
  43. ^ DZMM Milestone, www.dzmm.com.ph
  44. ^ CASBAA Official Website, www.casbaa.com
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  46. ^ http://www.lopezgroup.org/lgfi/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=278&Itemid=46#startHere
  47. ^ http://www.asianfoodchannel.com/press.php?id=13
  48. ^ http://www.museumstuff.com/learn/topics/Lifestyle_Network
  49. ^ a b http://www.gmanetwork.com/pdf/Mar%2025%202010%20Briefing%20Materials.pdf
  50. ^ http://hd.engadget.com/2008/09/16/sky-cable-philippines-delivers-nations-first-hd-broadcast-with/
  51. ^ a b http://www.onscreenasia.com/article-3621-discoveryturboreplacesrealtimediscoveryscienceandanimalplanetrelaunchacrossasiapacific-onscreenasia.html
  52. ^ http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/11/19/08/basketball-tv-now-available-skycable
  53. ^ http://www.gmanews.tv/story/129869/BasketballTV-NBA-games-return-to-SkyCable
  54. ^ FX is now available in Skycable retrieved via www.fxtvasia.com 01-15-2009
  55. ^ http://www.casbaa.com/media-and-resources/news-center/members-news/1141-channel-v-international-and-makisig-network-launch-v-philippines
  56. ^ CHANNEL V International and Makisig Network Announce the Launch of Channel V Philippines Tagalog language content block on V International set to launch with an expanded distribution for the channel on Sky Cable retrieved via www.startv.com 02-26-2009
  57. ^ CNBC On SkyCable Digital Gold
  58. ^ a b http://www.casbaa.com/media-and-resources/news-center/members-news/1101-aaan-continues-asia-rollout
  59. ^ http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/04/28/09/skycable-offers-2-hd-channels-manila-clients
  60. ^ http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/04/28/09/sky-cable-goes-picture-perfect
  61. ^ Entertainment Section, Inquirer.net www.inquirer.net
  62. ^ Makinig Network Wikipage
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  64. ^ http://www.ameinfo.com/206553.html
  65. ^ http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/10/10/09/all-sports-network-now-skycable
  66. ^ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=514924
  67. ^ Lifestyle, The Manila Times.Net www.manilatimes.net
  68. ^ http://lopezlink.ph/business-news/881-skycable-philippines-info-on-mtv-asia
  69. ^ CASBAA Member News, http://www.casbaa.com/media-and-resources/news-center/members-news/355-discovery-hd-rebrands-to-discovery-hd-world
  70. ^ http://lopezlink.ph/entertainment/1103-new-skycable-channel-lineup
  71. ^ http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/268537/universal-channel-launches-rp
  72. ^ http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20101012-297399/SkyCable-expects-80-of-market-going-digital
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  74. ^ Entertainment, Philippine Star Online www.philstar.com
  75. ^ http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20101021-298990/Why-Hallmark-bowed-out-of-cable
  76. ^ http://www.btv.com.ph/news/nbapremium
  77. ^ Business News, December 9, 2010, www.lopezlink.ph
  78. ^ http://www.lopezlink.ph/business-news/1461-skycable-channel-realignment-on-nov-15
  79. ^ http://beta.cge.tv/default.aspx
  80. ^ BBC's pre-school channel, CBeebies launches in the Philippines http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2011/01_january/cbeebies_philippines.shtml
  81. ^ CBeebies Launches In The Philippines http://www.mediaresearchasia.com/view2.php?type=press&id=1377
  82. ^ Manila Bulletin Online, Entertainment News http://www3.mb.com.ph/articles/298427/ikaw-ang-pagibig-excellent-movie-archbishop-legaspi
  83. ^ http://www.philstar.com/funfare/Article.aspx?articleId=660792&publicationSubCategoryId=70 Fun Fare, Philippine Star
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  86. ^ http://www.skycable.com/mm_post_packages.aspx?id=9&pkg=Select&pg=Description&subid=1&cid=41
  87. ^ http://www.skycable.com/mm_post_packages.aspx?id=14&pkg=280&pg=Description&subid=1&cid=42
  88. ^ http://www.skycable.com/packages.aspx?id=13&pkg=Plus&pg=Description&subid=1&cid=43
  89. ^ http://www.skycable.com/mm_post_packages.aspx?id=16&pkg=499&pg=Add-ons&subid=22&cid=46
  90. ^ http://www.skycable.com/packages.aspx?id=12&pkg=Max&pg=Description&subid=1&cid=44
  91. ^ http://www.skycable.com/mm_post_packages.aspx?id=3&pkg=Silver&pg=Description&subid=1&cid=16
  92. ^ http://www.skycable.com/mm_post_packages.aspx?id=2&pkg=Gold&pg=Description&subid=1&cid=8
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  120. ^ http://www.pep.ph/news/28702/(UPDATED)-TV5-files-complaint-against-Sky-Cable-for-its-continued-refusal-to-include-Aksyon-TV-in-its-channel-line-up
  121. ^ http://www.interaksyon.com/article/978/tv5-files-complaint-vs-sky-cable-for-inaction-on-aksyontv

External links


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