Radio Philippines Network

Radio Philippines Network, Inc. (formerly known as Kanlaon Broadcasting System and commonly stated as RPN Network) is a Filipino-owned media company co-owned by the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Nine Media Corporation, Far East Managers and Investors Inc., and several private stockholders. Our studios and main offices are located at Broadcast City, Capitol Hills, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, and the transmitter are #97 Panay Avenue, Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City. Founded by Roberto Benedicto and prior to the privatization, the TV network is the sister network of current government owned and controlled Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation.

Among its assets are the broadcast television networks RPN and CNN Philippines (the local franchise of CNN in the Asia-Pacific Region), the radio networks are Radyo Ronda and 99.5 Play FM as well as the international channel RPN USA. RPN is currently the proud member of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).

As Kanlaon Broadcasting System (1960-1975)
The congress of the Philippines approved the franchise of Radio Philippine Network on June 19, 1960. Instead of using its franchise name, the network instead used Kanlaon Broadcasting System as its initial branding. Kanlaon is a volcano on the Philippine island of Negros, the home of its founder Roberto Benedicto. Kanlaon Broadcasting System started broadcasting as a radio network with its first station DZBI in Manila. By 1967, KBS had grown into a full network, with seven radio stations all over the country namely, DZRR and DZAX in Manila, DZAH and DZBS in Baguio, DZTG in Tuguegarao, DZRL in Laoag (later moved to Batac), and DXDX in General Santos. Philippine radio veteran Ben Aniceto was the operations director at the time.

The broadcast network ventured into television broadcasting on October 15, 1969 with the launch of KBS-9 Manila as the network's flagship TV station. KBS-12 Baguio was also signed on the air on the same year. Properties and funding for the new TV network partly came from ABS-CBN in the form of its old headquarters along Roxas Boulevard and equipment from Toshiba enabling them to broadcast in color. As a result, on its launch it was named Accucolor 9 ("Accucolor" is the name of the color technology used) as the first Philippine television network to launch in full color.

In 1970, KBS also acquired a Color-ready Outside Broadcast Van for the remote broadcasts of major news events and sports coverages. On September 1972, KBS television and radio stations, and its sister publication Daily Express under the Benedicto group were allowed to operate during the Martial Law period, where most of the media outfits were closed down. In 1975, Kanlaon Broadcasting System became Radio Philippines Network.

Early Years (1975-1986)
In 1975, KBS formally re-launched as RPN, the acronym for its franchise name. Radio Philippines Network (the RPN name was first used in the provincial stations before the RPN brand would later be used for the Manila station as well). It aired special coverages of the Olympics, Thrilla in Manila (in 1975) and the Miss Universe; and programs such as John en Marsha, Flordeluna, Superstar. RPN became the birthplace and the first home of the daytime variety show Eat Bulaga! (premiering in 1979). RPN became also a popular and most watched longest running Game show on Philippine television Family Kwarta o Kahon hosted by Pepe Pimentel originaly aired on ABS-CBN then BBC-2 the show is run for almost 3 decades until ended in the year 2000. RPN also pioneered the TV newscasting as they launched the first ever newspaper-format nightly newscast titled NewsWatch. The network also pioneered the use of computer graphics for their program plugs and station IDs as well as its broadcast of the ubiquitous digital clock shown on the lower leftmost part of the screen during the entire broadcast day except for commercials, station ID, and during sign-off, and after the 1973 fire that razed its first studios, moved to the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center in 1973 and to its current Broadcast City home in 1979.

RPN also aired anime programming (making them one of the first to do so in the country) and imported and syndicated programs from the United States. RPN-9 is the first network to cover the Philippine Basketball Association games live in 1976, before the broadcasts moved on to BBC-2.

In 1980, RPN-9 began to broadcast primetime programs and Eat Bulaga (when it was still with the network) through its new domestic satellite (DOMSAT) technology in which the 1980s logo resembles a satellite antenna. This made RPN the first national network to achieve nationwide program simulcasting via satellite.

The network also became home to, from 1978 up to the early 1980s, the Super Sentai series (making it the first in the Philippines to do so, becoming a pioneer in broadcasting tokusatsu and sentai programs in the country in the process). These made it a reason for the network in 1982 to adopt The Leader as its official slogan, coupled with its Number 9 and the red corporate logos, due to its massive successes as the nation's number one network. In 1986, after the assumption of office of President Corazon C. Aquino, the government sequestered Radio Philippines Network for allegedly being part of the crony capitalism under the Marcos regime. By then, it was the leading network in the Philippines cornering the highest audience share in the entire country.

First Downfall (1986-1989)
After the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, the stock and assets of RPN, IBC and Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation were sequestered by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG). President Corazon Aquino awarded BBC's Channel 2 frequency and its affiliates, through an executive order, to ABS-CBN, and RPN's and IBC's assets were turned over to the Government Communications Group. This was a period when the network lost much of its viewership to GMA Radio-Television Arts, which had rose as the leader in 1986, and PTV, another government-owned network, causing its ratings to slump, thus tarnishing RPN's popularity.

This decline was worsened when one of its pre-1972 rivals, ABS-CBN, which struggled in the ratings upon its reopening in 1986, got a ratings boost in 1987, triggering an unfaltering ascent to No. 1 in 1988, causing RPN to fall to 4th place.

During the post-EDSA Revolution era, RPN launched the first Filipino-created animated series, Ang Panday. By 1989, some of RPN's programming such as John en Marsha, Student Canteen, and Superstar were ended, and TAPE's daytime programs Eat Bulaga!, Agila. and Coney Reyes on Camera (a co-production with Coney Reyes' CAN Television) moved under a co-production agreement to ABS-CBN, as they saw the resurgent network as a vital element in the sustaining of the three shows' success. During this period, it was already clear that RPN was losing its status as a premier broadcaster, resulting in its "The Leader" slogan to lose its purpose.

New Vision 9 (1989-1994)
In 1989, the network was relaunched into the "New Vision 9" brand to recoup lost audience share in the ratings game of Philippine television networks. The rebrand was took place after RPN and Syndicated Media Access Corporation (SMAC) took over the network's management and marketing. It became the third re-branding of the network. The reformat and re-branding instead made history for the network as it pioneered 24-hour television broadcasting in the Philippines.

Telenovela Dominance (1994-2002)
In 1994, New Vision 9 was renamed back as Radio Philippines Network (RPN) and in the same year, RPN became the first television channel to broadcast programs in full stereo. In 1996, though, the network quickly re-gained its footing when it began to broadcast a Tagalog dub of the Mexican telenovela Marimar. The network became the pioneer in Tagalog-dubbed foreign programs and movies and made the popular and turnaround its ratings on the evening prime time. Due to the success, the other networks followed and broadcast telenovelas not only from Mexico but also Spanish language telenovelas from the United States, Colombia (GMA's Betty La Fea), Venezuela (GMA's Samantha and All My Love) and Argentina (GMA's Monica Brava), and eventually even drama series from Brazil (ABS-CBN's Ana Manuela) and Asian drama series from Taiwan (notably Meteor Garden) and South Korea (notably Bright Girl).

The Rise of Nadine Lustre, Second Downfall (2002-2007)
In 2002, Nadine Lustre started her career on this network for her show Storyland, sponsored by SM Supermalls.

By mid-2000s, a major network war in the ratings game ensued with the broadcast of Korean-language television series by the two superior leading networks, ABS-CBN and GMA Network as well as IBC, causing RPN into decline in the telenovelas battle.

RPN renewed its congressional franchise for another 25 years on February 19, 2004. Under Philippine law, no broadcast company will operate without franchise from Philippine congress, an authority that limits and regulates operations of telecommunications and broadcast media such as televisions and radios.

Solar Entertainment era (2007-2014)
On March 11, 2007, RPN began a partnership with the Solar Entertainment Corporation, an operator of a number of cable channels in the country. The company began co-producing new programming for the network, such as a local version of the Next Top Model franchise.

The network underwent management changes on December 24, 2007, as Tonypet Albano (undersecretary and executive director of Malacañang's Office of Political Coalition Affairs and Deputy Spokesperson of TEAM Unity) was appointed chairman of the network (replacing Education Undersecretary Mona Valisno, incumbent Presidential Assistant for Education). Undersecretary Robert Rivera was appointed director of the board, while the president and chief executive officer became former senator Orlando Mercado.

As C/S / C/S9 / Solar TV (2008-2011)
Mercado's first major move was to expand their partnerships with Solar Entertainment. Programming from Solar's cable network C/S was added to RPN's lineup at the beginning of the new year, and PBA basketball would also return to the network beginning in the 2008-09 season, as part of Solar Sports' new three-year deal with the league after an intense bidding war with ABS-CBN.

In October 2008, RPN's stations ultimately took on the C/S name as part of their permanent branding, and rebranded itself as C/S 9. The C/S 9 name would not last, on November 29, 2009, the network re-branded again under the new name Solar TV. In late 2010, it was revealed that RPN would no longer carry PBA games, due to planned re-launch to occur in 2011, with more "feminine" programming. In 2010, the Philippine government began to actively consider privatizing RPN and IBC. Ricardo Abcede, member of the Presidential Commission on Good Government, supported the plans, noting that the government should not need to subsidize three state broadcasters when most countries only have one, and could gain a significant profit if they were sold to a major company willing to invest in the stations.

As ETC (2011-2013)
In January 2011, reports confirmed that Solar Entertainment and Roberto Benedicto's daughter Kitchie Benedicto now owned a 34% minority share in RPN. Communications and Operation Office secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. also began to hold meetings with the network's employees union to discuss the financial state of RPN as part of the planned privatization. On February 22, 2011, RPN's employees filed a strike notice, protesting a rumored shutdown of RPN on February 25, and accusing the government of attempting to privatize RPN without actively consulting its employees.

On February 25, 2011, RPN was relaunched as ETC on March 2, 2011. Additional shares in RPN were sold to Far East Managers and Investors Inc. (FEMI), an organization company affiliated with Ambassador Roberto Benedicto (founder of RPN), and the San Miguel Corporation. The government would retain the People's Television Network to serve as the sole state broadcaster of the country. However, due to privatization, RPN is forced to retrench 200 employees and stopping the production of RPN NewsWatch, its last RPN-produced program, on October 29, 2012 as Solar TV takes over the entire RPN's airtime. In November 2013, San Miguel Corporation President and COO Ramon S. Ang declares interest in acquiring Solar Television Network and its stake on RPN but instead acquire a minority stake on GMA Network. .

The Third Radio Philippines Network (2013-present)
A public advisory was plugged, informing that ETC on RPN aired its final sign-off on March 31, 2013 as it moved to RPN UHF Channel 19.

By March 30, 2013 on the test broadcast until resumed the operation as the commercial operation television started at 7:00pm by switching on its 100-killowatt transmitter and a big welcome party by the big stars of the network. ETC was ceased commercial operations with ETC going to a cable TV channel when RPN-9 returned to the air on Mach 30, 2013 will become part of Media ng Bayan. Cash and resources stretched to the limit, with offices being made to double as dressing rooms and basics such as chairs, tables and phones in short supply while RPN stars, personalities and employees start to return to RPN. Hence, RPN employees as president and CEO Robert Rivera was brought in to rework the station's programming and the return of the airwaves station RPN will be the brand for Kasama Network.

At the time, money had been scarce while resources were limited; offices were used as dressing rooms and other equipment such as chairs, tables, and phones were in more supply. The network was forced to share space in the building that was rightfully their own with the sequestered TV station Channel 13.

RPN acquired a new franchise to operate under Republic Act 7831 signed by President Noynoy Aquino III on nationwide satellite broadcasting in over 34 regional TV stations nationwide and creating with RPN's Radyo Ronda in the radio broadcasts for the AM radio stations DZKB Radyo Ronda 1422. The radio counterpart 99.5 Play FM, RPN's FM radio station entered a partnership with Real Radio Network Inc. launched at the same time of the network. RPN took over the management of Real Radio Network, Inc. stations; relaunched as the FM radio station on April 1, 2013 as 99.5 Play FM.

In a surge of phenomenal growth, RPN earned a reputation as The Kasama Network among the ranks of the strong number 3 in the overall TV network rating challenge the dominance of the broadcast industry leaders with a programming that combines the America's certified hits, hit telenovelas, asianovelas, animes and all station-produced local programs. Its creativity and innovation have resulted in numerous long-running program successes on the challenge of revolutionizing the broadcast landscape including a stronger of local news and public affairs programs, high-quality entertainment, the broadcast equipment, and the acquisition of broadcast rights of the two basketball leagues such as the Metropolitan Basketball Association games.

Additionally, the network also launched a new advertising campaign and slogan, Kasama Ako!, which the new lineup as being more distinct being aired by its competitors at the time successfully regained its dominance of the intense competition ABS-CBN and GMA.

The new management priority is optimum coverage and TV signal reception. To achieve this, RPN will boost its transmission power and establish new sites in strategic parts of the country. The Kasama Network also aims to reach audiences in America via RPN USA, the world's international channel with the Dish Network. RPN won the Best TV Station award at the 2013 KBP Golden Dove Awards, with several other TV programs on the network also earning awards in their respective categories to widen its telecast.

As Solar News Channel (2013-2014)
In November 2013, San Miguel Corporation President and COO Ramon S. Ang declares interest in acquiring Solar Television Network and its stake on RPN but instead acquire a minority stake of the network.

On November 30, 2013, ETC was returned to SBN while Solar News Channel moves to UHF Channel 19 since the following day to widen its nationwide telecast. (SBN broadcast ETC from 2008-2011)

Cabangon-Chua era (2014-present)
On January 3, 2014, RPN and Aliw Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) (operators of DWIZ and Home Radio) recently signed a memorandum of agreement for the expanded coverage of the both TV and radio networks nationwide. Selected DWIZ programs will be simulcast on the Radyo Ronda Network.

Meanwhile, Westside's theater studio in Broadway Centrum located at New Manila, Quezon City was given to RPN that producing Boses Tinig Pinoy and Superstar are the top-rated hits.

On June 25-26, 2014, the network celebrated their 54th anniversary in the broadcasting industry. For the anniversary program, free concert featuring OPM artists was held. RPN-9 was commenced the ground-breaking of the soon-to-build RPN Building in Panay Avenue, Quezon City (near the current building in Broadcast City) and the launching of their FM radio station, possibly on those 99.5 MHz called 99.5 Play FM. Angeline Quinto rendered the newest theme song of the network, entitled Kasama Ako.

From then, RPN as the country's leader network, which established itself as the Philippine home network for the best in English programming through World-Class US Primetime, telenovelas, animes and the meteoric rise of Asianovelas, coupled the blockbuster movies and now with more locally-produced shows on the massive networks. The station is now the No.3 in the ratings survey behind ABS-CBN and GMA Network, together with TV5 and IBC also currently rule to the number 3 spot.

As 9TV (2014-2016)
On August 20, 2014, Solar Entertainment Corporation chief Wilson Tieng announced that he ceded his entire share on Solar TV Network, Inc., including its 34% majority share on RPN, to Antonio Cabangon-Chua (he died almost 2 years later on March 11, 2016), owner of business daily BusinessMirror and Aliw Broadcasting Corporation. Tieng sold Solar TV in favor of the acquisition of Thunderbird Resorts group and he will be focusing on the remaining television channels he personally owned through Solar Entertainment.

To reflect the change of ownership, on August 13, 2014, Solar Television Network and RPN announces the rebranding of RPN into 9TV Network by August 23 on the test broadcast until resumed the operation aired a countdown to the re-launch until 7:00 pm (PST) when the new lineup began under their new branding of 9TV by switching on its 100-killowatt transmitter and a big welcome party by the big stars of the network.

9TV expanding its primetime weeknights and weekend programming to cater more audiences which was started by the launching of Kids Weekend. Also, the ALC Group of Companies appointed Benjamin Ramos as RPN's new President, replacing Undersecretary Robert T. Rivera. The network will produce and source most of the network's more entertainment programs while RPN would continue to be responsible for news and public affairs programming and operation of the stations.

9TV will be launched on August 23, 2014. The newscasts, current affairs programs and public service programs carried from the format and the personnel will be retained, sports and entertainment programming for the stars and talents and RPN now showing animes, telenovelas, foreign canned shows in the US on primetime and blockbuster movies from Hollywood and Pinoy movie. It is also beefing up their weekend programming including children's, informative, and pre-school shows to cater more viewers, and the launch of responsive, innovative, excellent and creative programming mechanism.

Because of this, the network will retain its imported foreign canned programs in the United States on weeknights while RPN's local primetime version expanded into 7 nights a week of all-Filipino programming on primetime, including telenovelas and Asian dramas on primetime slot will offer.



The 9TV branding is a transitional brand to separate "what is Tieng's (the former owner) and what is Cabangon-Chua's". In October 14, 2014, Nine Media Corporation (formerly Solar Television Network) inked a 5-year brand licensing agreement with the Turner Broadcasting System to give UHF 19 into CNN Philippines, the local franchise of Cable News Network, and the third local CNN channel in Asia (after CNN Indonesia and India's CNN-IBN). CNN Philippines 19 was officially launched on March 16, 2015.

Despite financial struggles within the management, 9TV continues to be on top as one of the Top 3 television networks in the country (along with IBC and TV5) with male and younger viewers dominated the audience reach due to the network's broadcast of the Metropolitan Basketball Association via Solar Sports. The network celebrated their fifth anniversary under the management of Robert T. Rivera in coincide with their trade launch of the newest shows for 2015 held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in June 10, 2015.

CNN Philippines on UHF 19 (2015-present)
On March 16, 2015, UHF 19 started broadcasting on CNN Philippines brand. CNN Philippines is the seventh rebrand of Radio Philippines Network since its inception as KBS. It has the transitional brand 9TV after seven months of operations under such brand. The new brand reflects the CNN format of news reporting on news from the Philippines.

As RPN Network (2016-present)
On January 18, 2016, 9TV undergoes a major rebranding to an entertainment company and officially became RPN Network. The station meanwhile retained its long-rime slogan, Kasama Ako!. After the refresh, the network introduces the local game show Kasama, Break the Bank and 9News reverted back into RPN News.

RPN Programs
RPN Network's program lineup includes news and current affairs shows, dramas, sitcoms, gag shows, variety shows, dubbed foreign serials, children's shows, foreign shows from the United States, anime shows, reality shows, and sports. The network also promotes upcoming movies and sponsors events, particularly parties around the Metro Manila area and provincial regional area.

Competition
On April 1, 2013, RPN has been reportedly on ranking number 3 based on the Kantar Media survey. It is the certified number 3 television network behind the competition with ABS-CBN and GMA Network along with the number 3 spots of IBC and TV5. It also gained its rating on their world-class quality primetime block.

Most watched of the MBA basketball games with 10 regional stations operating, reaching 25% of all television-owning households in the country.

Digitalization
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered that all analog TV broadcast transmission will be terminated by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2015, requiring television service providers to migrate to DTT by that time. The management of 9TV is planning for digitalization.

With the station by simulcating of RPN's news programs Arangkada Balita and NewsWatch.

International broadcast
RPN programs are shown in the United States from Dish Network, Singapore, Sydney, London, Hong Kong, South Korea, Canada and Malaysia.

Subsidiary

 * RPN News and Public Affairs
 * RPN Entertainment
 * Talent9
 * RPN Licensing and Merchandising
 * RPN International
 * CNN Philippines