The ABS-CBN Dilemma

It seems broadcasting and entertainment giant ABS-CBN is in a quandry with regard to its franchise. The current deal will expire in 2020, and the company will need Congressional approval in order to have it renewed. In a story by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on 11 June 2016, it was revealed that the Lopez-owned company tried to apply for an early extension, but was thwarted by members of the current congress. So, now they have no choice but to deal with the incoming nutcase administration.

I don't feel any sympathy for the Kapamilya Network. Not even a  tiny bit of compassion. Over the years, the giant has been a huge contributor to the stupidification of the Filipino people. Novel was the idea of transforming the evening news to tabloid reporting back then. Slowly but surely, the bar of intelligent journalism went down with TV Patrol. And then, there are the countless telenovelas that hook the masses to dependence. These shallow TV dramas act as social gateway drugs that lead to more cheap programming. When the term "boob-tube" was coined to denote television in the sixties, they had no idea how far ABS-CBN would take that description. But it wasn't only television that suffered. The music industry has also deteriorated besause of their powerful influence. Genuine artists who can write and play their own songs have no place in their TV shows. Only their manufactured talents have any hope of getting their music promoted. OPM is currently in a vegetative state because of the unfair practices of ABS-CBN and Star Records! Mass producing mediocrity for the consumption of the unthinking should be made a crime worthy of capital punishment.

The dilemma they are experiencing now is both boon and bane. It's a bad thing because it would make the network compete with the government controlled PTV 4 in an ass-kissing contest until 2020. With their survival in the balance, they would have no choice but to relinquish the meager amount of dignity they have to the government. Personally, I prefer to see them close shop.