The YouTube channels of ABS-CBN News and ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) have become inaccessible to subscribers and netizens today, November 3.
When one tries to access videos from ABS-CBN News’ channel, a message flashes on the screen that reads: “Video Unavailable: This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated.”
When attempting to open the channel itself, one gets a message stating that the account was “terminated for a violation of YouTube’s Terms of Service.”
The same messages appear on the YouTube channel of ANC.
ABS-CBN has released a statement on the termination of ABS-CBN and ANC’s YouTube channels.
The network said it is currently “investigating” the matter, and is “working closely with YouTube” to resolve the issue.
ABS-CBN’s statement reads in full:
“We are aware of the problem of accessing ABS-CBN News channels on YouTube. We are currently investigating this and working closely with YouTube to resolve this problem. In the meantime, you can catch our livestreams and news reports on the TeleRadyo Channel. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
The ABS-CBN News YouTube channel has 10.6 million subscribers, while ANC has 315K subscribers.
Since the morning of November 3, the Kapamilya network has been a trending topic on Twitter because of the termination.
ABS-CBN was also a trending topic on Sunday, November 1, for the network's continuous, full-blown coverage of Typhoon Rolly.
The Kapamilya network has experienced technical difficulties in the past. On September 3, the news website of ABS-CBN had a "technical problem" that made it inaccessible to users from the Philippines, and accessible only via web browser Safari.
ABS-CBN FRANCHISE
In May 2020, ABS-CBN’s free TV and radio stations were forced to go off the air after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease-and-desist order following the expiration of ABS-CBN’s congressional franchise.
Subsequent hearings were then held in Congress after ABS-CBN filed for a renewal of its franchise.
On July 10, 2020, 70 congressmen rejected ABS-CBN’s bid for the renewal of its franchise.
Prior to this, President Rodrigo Duterte openly declared that he would block a franchise renewal.
This was apparently because his paid political ads were not aired by ABS-CBN during the campaign for the presidential election of 2016.
In February 2020, President Duterte accepted the apology of ABS-CBN President Carlo Katigbak, but said he was leaving Congress to decide on the franchise.
In the aftermath, his supporters in Congress voted against renewing the franchise.
ABS-CBN has since strengthened its broadcast platforms—Kapamilya Channel on cable, Kapamilya Online Live on Facebook and YouTube, and its streaming site iWant TFC.
Just this October, some of ABS-CBN’s entertainment programs returned to free TV via A2Z channel 11.
The network inked a deal as a blocktimer with Zoe Broadcasting Inc., which is owned by Jesus Is Lord founder Bro. Eddie Villanueva.
The news and public affairs programs, including ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast TV Patrol, as well as acquired programs like K-Dramas, were not included in A2Z Channel’s line-up.
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