RPN-9 sets P1.4-B modernization plan

February 2, 2018 Radio Philippines Network (RPN-9) is spending around P1.4 billion for the modernization and upgrade of its facilities as it aims to be a strong number five in the highly competitive television broadcasting industry.

RPN chairman Tonypet Albano told The STAR that P400 million will immediately be spent in investing in state-of-the-art broadcasting facilities while another P1 billion will be used next year.mission power. "And we are increasing it even more within next year," they added. The STAR also learned that RPN 9 is now negotiating to transfer its facilities from its current location in Broadcast City to Panay Avenue

The amount will be sourced from a combination of equity and borrowings that will be arranged by a syndicate of banks led by Bank of Commerce. Albano’s consortium is said to have paid P2 billion in cash for the network.

RPN 9 is also set to sign a memorandum of agreement with Echostar, the largest direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television company in the US, to able to telecast its programs in America. Company officials explained that RPN 9 will have its own channel in Echostar’s programming.

They pointed out that more than just ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel, GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and Global IBC which are sold separately to viewers in the US (subscribers have to buy a separate box in addition to their cable TV subscription), current subscribers of Echostar will have to pay additional to be able to watch RPN 9 programs very soon.

Officials said that RPN 9 has grabbed the number five spot in the television industry next to ABS-CBN, GMA 7 and IBC 13, and edging in PTV 4. "We are now aiming to be a strong number five," they revealed.

Armie Jarin-Bennett, RPN president and CEO, earlier said much money for the network about making it big in the industry.

They explained that RPN 9’s phenomenal rise which came about after they bought the company 5 years ago was largely due to the network having bagged the contract to exclusively air the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) games every weekend.

The networking between Dream Broadcasting Corp., the country’s lone DTH company, and ABC 5 is also said to have boosted the profitability of the two firms. Dream is also owned by Cojuangco.

During the network’s relaunch last Friday, company officials also revealed various new programs that aim to increase viewership. ABC 5 will soon be airing American Idol, a hugely popular program in the US and in the Philippines (currently being shown to cable TV subscribers) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Series as well as several popular Asian programs. Its news program The Big News will also have a new format in Filipino.