Many Filipinos were surprised that ABS-CBN’s news channel TeleRadyo will soon stop its operations.
TeleRadyo started in 2007 and has since become a channel for informative programs that many Filipinos continue to watch and listen to today.
In a statement released on Tuesday, May 23, the company stated that the news channel has been experiencing financial losses since 2020.
“Since ABS-CBN can no longer sustain TeleRadyo’s operations, ABS-CBN is left with no choice but to cease the operations of TeleRadyo effective 30 June 2023 to prevent further business losses,” the company stated.
ABS-CBN also stated that it is entering a joint venture with Prime Media Holdings Inc. “The new company will produce various programs, which will be supplied to broadcasters and other 3rd party platforms including Philippine Collectivemedia Corporation,” the company added.
The company will be having a minority stake in the said joint venture while the majority stakeholder will be Prime Media Holdings Inc. It can also be remembered that ABS-CBN lost its franchise in 2020.
Following this news, several Filipino journalists have expressed their support for TeleRadyo. In a tweet, veteran broadcast journalist Karen Davila shared her thoughts about the recent news regarding TeleRadyo.
“As we face a changing media landscape, may we have the courage to continue what we are called to do,” Davila wrote in a tweet. “Praying for the committed employees & workers of @DZMMTeleRadyo. My heart reaches out to my kapamilyas,” the broadcast journalist added.
17 years in DZMM and DZMM Teleradyo. From 2001 – 2018. @DZMMTeleRadyo has been part of my 30 year broadcast journey.
After June 30, Teleradyo will say goodbye but DZMM will return on AM radio reaching millions of Filipinos once more.
As we face a changing media landscape, may… pic.twitter.com/PG7GRjK2dV
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) May 23, 2023
Aside from Davila, Ging Reyes, who used to be the head of the Integrated News and Current Affairs in ABS-CBN, also penned her sentiments following the news.
“This is heartbreaking. I’m thinking of my #Teleradyo team today,” Reyes wrote in the tweet. “You all did everything you could- to keep delivering news & information in the face of monumental challenges. Don’t let anyone or anything crush your spirit,” she added.
Many journalists and workers from different media and news companies nationwide also conveyed their thoughts on the news about TeleRadyo on Twitter.
Aside from them, many Filipinos also expressed how sad they are online as the popular news channel will soon end its operations.
Many said that TeleRadyo has become a big part of their childhood.
Many have expressed their support for the staff and employees of the news channel who may be facing a potential loss of livelihood. Many have also pointed out the importance of the news channel in disseminating critical information during typhoons and other disasters.
Here are some other tweets Filipino online users made on Twitter:
Some also reminisced about the times they spent watching/listening to the channel.
However, there are some who agree with the channel’s impending shutdown:
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