Despite the government shutting down its broadcasting activities, ABS-CBN carried out and fulfilled its mission to support the Filipinos with the return of its flagship TV Patrol newscast.
Filipinos were deeply saddened when TV Patrol was forced to go off air Last May 5, 2020, but on May 7, TV Patrol came back and delivered news to Filipinos through the internet.
The comeback of the said newscast trended on different social media platforms. TV Patrol trended in the number 1 spot on Twitter Philippines’ Trends.
Netizens tweeted their happiness about how TV Patrol found a way yo continue delivering information to the Filipinos especially in this time of the pandemic,
Netizen @James Leo believes that despite that the government working harder to bring down ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN worked harder to show their commitment to the Filipino people,
“The government works hard but ABS-CBN works harder. Bringing #TVPatrol in digital platforms is a brilliant move specially in this time and age of social media. Though not everyone has access to internet, it only shows their commitment. In the service of the Filipino, they remain.”
The government works hard but ABS-CBN works harder. Bringing #TVPatrol in digital platforms is a brilliant move specially in this time and age of social media. Though not everyone has access to internet, it only shows their commitment. In the service of the Filipino, they remain.
— Javi | EXOTEEN (@jamesvitaliano) May 7, 2020
Other netizens also appreciated how ABS-CBN used technology to continue to serve viewers.
"Hindi ba parang nakaka-offend na kahit ikaw na lang ang OPTION NA LIBRE, hindi ka pa rin pinili.."
(This is me seeing hundreds of friends on FB sharing LIVE #TVPatrol instead of watching FREE TV)
Hi kuya @jeck_batallones pic.twitter.com/WSlW21KM9a
— Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) May 7, 2020
Watching TV Patrol on Youtube using a smartTV. Just like watching a normal show. Proof that we are really moving towards digital TV and cable providers may become irrelevant in the future. Kaya gigil siguro sa ABS talaga. #TVPatrol pic.twitter.com/4udmJjUz9U
— Dominic Jake (@dominicjake) May 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/EgmJacques50747/status/1258356825268740098?s=20
Filipinos who are used to TV Patrol being their main source of information switched to streaming through their smartphones, tablets, or computers.
On Facebook, the newscast stream crossed almost 8 million views within a matter of hours. Its concurrent viewers, or the number of people viewing at the same time, had a high of around 218,000.
Even Vice-President for Digital Strategy and Consumer Disruptive Business of PLDT/Smart, Carlo Ople expressed his joy on how ABS-CBN successfully changed that way Filipinos consume news,
“NTC shutting down ABS-CBN just changed the way the Philippines consumes news. TV Patrol did a FB livestream (since no broadcast). Take a look at those insane numbers. 7.2 MILLION. For a newscast FB Live.”
For Ople, ABS-CBN shifting to social media livestream can pioneer a milestone in the media industry.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2909025599181715&set=a.141225549295081&type=3&theater
“ABS, Kausapin niyo Facebook. Make it happen. You can pioneer a milestone digital innovation that can change the way Filipino consume media and shop!
“You can accelerate tenfold the digital transformation of this country overnight.”
