Ibinigay na sa kompanya ni dating Senate President at bilyonaryong negosyante na si Manny Villar ang television at radio frequency na dating ginagamit ng ABS-CBN Corporation.
Kinumpirma ito ng National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) sa isang pahayag na inilabas nitong Martes, Enero 25.
“After the technical evaluation of AMBS’ request for a simulcast channel, Channel 2 (the paired analog channel in Mega Manila of digital channel 16) was temporarily assigned to AMBS. This temporary assignment is for simulcast purposes only, and only until the analog shut-off scheduled in 2023,” pahayag ng NTC.
Ang AMBS (Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc.) ay pag-aari ni Villar at nabigyan ng 25-taong prangkisa noong 2019.
Samantala, ang ABS-CBN naman ng pamilya Lopez ay nabigong makakuha ng panibagong prangkisa matapos itong ibasura ng Kamara noong Hulyo 2020.
“The temporary assignment was granted to ensure service to both analog and digital TV signal users as the country transitions to full digital TV,” dagdag pa ng NTC.
Bukod dito, isa pang NTC order na pirmado nina NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, at deputy commissioners Edgardo Cabarios at Delilah Deles ang nagbigay din ng ‘provisional authority’ sa AMBS para sa isang digital TV broadcasting system gamit ang isa pang dating frequency ng ABS-CBN.
“In the interest of public service, the Commission hereby grants Advanced Media System Inc. a provisional authority to install, operate, and maintain a digital TV broadcasting system…using Channel 16…for 18 months,” ayon sa order.
Paliwanag ng NTC, ang AMBS ang unang aplikanteng naghahanap ng frequency simula pa noong 2006 umano.
“AMBS has been waiting for an available digital frequency since 2006 after undergoing a quasi-judicial process which include notice to all interested/affected parties and hearing,” anang ahensiya.
Ang anak ni Villar na si Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar ay isa sa mga bumoto noon para ibasura ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN. Ang isa pang niyang anak na si Mark Villar ay itinalagang Public Works Secretary at ngayon ay tumatakbong senador.