Eighty percent or 8 out of 10 Filipinos are in favor of ABS-CBN’s free TV comeback based on the recent mobile-app survey conducted by WR Numero Research.
According to WR Numero Research, they conducted the survey “to gauge the level of Filipino support” for the comeback of the Kapamilya Network.
It was conducted days after Senate President Tito Sotto filed Senate Bill 1967 which seeks to give ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year broadcast franchise.
Based on the survey data from January 11 to 15, 8 in 10 respondents or 80% are in favor of ABS-CBN’s return on air. Of the 8 in favor, at least six answered “strongly favor” for the network’s comeback.
“Only 11 percent oppose the return of the network while eight percent are still unsure,” said WR Numero Research.
“Through a mobile app-based survey with 5,000 respondents nationwide, a quota sampling method based on geographic location, age, sex, and income was utilized to gather the data, with the survey question “Sangayon ka bang maibalik muli ang operasyon ng ABS-CBN (Are you in favor of ABS CBN’s operations to return)?” WR Numero Research added
Meanwhile, Sotto in his franchise bill also mentioned ABS-CBN being the Filipino viewer’s top choice based on Kantar Media data.
“ABS-CBN is still the top choice of viewers in the Philippines as its viewers nationwide prefer to catch relevant news and inspiring TV series on ABS-CBN as the network registered an average audience share of 45%or 14 points higher than GMA’s 31%,” said Sotto in the bill.
Aside from Sotto, Lipa Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto and CamSur Rep. Gabriel Bordado also filed their counterpart bills at the House of Representatives seeking the return of ABS-CBN through a fresh 25-year franchise.
Under the constitution, all private bills like broadcast franchise bills should emanate from the House of Representatives.
However, in his latest pronouncements, House Committee on Legislative Franchises chair Franz Alvarez said new moves for the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise are better left to the next congress.
“Based on my understanding from the House leadership, the ABS-CBN franchise issue is best left to the next Congress,” he said.