Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC) is a Philippines television network, with main broadcast facilities in Novaliches, Quezon City, Metro Manila. It is the third-oldest television network in the country, and currently is the third largest television network. It is currently owned by businessman Antonio Cojuangco.

Its main station is DWET-5 (ABC-5) in Metro Manila. It also operates a radio station, Dream 106 FM , in Metro Manila.

=History=

==Launching==

The original Channel 5, or Associated Broadcasting Corporation was established in 1960 by the late Joaquin Chino Roces y Pardo who at that time was also publisher of the leading English broadsheet, the Manila Times . By virtue of a Congressional franchise under Republic Act. No. 2945 dated June 19, 1960, ABC operated as a radio and television broadcasting network from 1960 until September 21, 1972 when then President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law. Both Channel 5 and the Manila Times were forcibly closed for their critical stance against the Marcos regime and their crusade against the suppression of press freedom.

==ABC Reopened==

After the People Power Revolution in February, 1986, Don Chino Roces made a successful representation with President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino for the reopening of ABC. New stockholders, led by broadcast veteran Edward U. Tan and Don Chino s son Edgardo Roces then began the arduous task of resuscitating the network.

ABC broke ground in what was to become its new studio complex in Novaliches, Quezon City in 1990. By the final quarter of 1991, ABC was on test broadcast. Commercial operation started in February 21, 1992. A brand new television and radio broadcasting network was born ABC Development Corporation, doing business under the trade name Associated Broadcasting Company.

In a surge of phenomenal growth, ABC earned a reputation as The Fastest Growing Network . It has taken big leaps and bounds and is now among the ranks of The Big League . As early as its 15th month of operation, it rose to a strong no. 3 in the overall TV network rating with a programming that combines the Best of Both Worlds : America s certified hits and all station-produced local programs. Its creativity and innovation (hence, the tagline Iba Tayo ) have resulted in numerous long-running program successes.

==ABC Today==

In October, 2003, ABC was acquired by a group led by businessman Antonio O. Cojuangco , former Chairman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and owner of Dream Satellite Broadcasting and Bank of Commerce, among others. Cojuangco, popularly known as Tonyboy, who serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, envisions a network thats strong on news and public affairs, provides high quality entertainment and serves as an effective tool with which to shape and mold a countrys ethical values and moral fiber. A whole lot of changes have been happening and happening fast as ABC reinvents itself and takes on the challenge of revolutionizing the broadcast landscape.

ABCs new management team is laying the groundwork for a highly-competitive cutting-edge television station along a modernization plan expected to be completed this 2005 at a cost of over a billion pesos. Top priority is optimum coverage and TV signal reception. To achieve this, ABC will boost its transmission power and establish new sites in strategic parts of the country. Coverage is also being augmented through affiliations and through synergy with its sister company, DREAM Broadcasting . ABC also aims to reach audiences in America via its Mabuhay Channel .

ABC-TV Stations Nationwide: *ABC-5 Manila *ABC-2 Laoag *ABC-28 Baguio *ABC-32 Bacolod *ABC-21 Cebu *ABC-29 Zamboanga *ABC-21 Cagayan De Oro *ABC-2 Davao *ABC-12 General Santos

ABC Radio Stations Nationwide: *DWET 106.7 MHz-Manila *DWTE 106.7 MHz-Laoag *DXET 106.7 MHz-Davao *DXER 93.5 MHz-General Santos

=See also=

*Television_networks#Philippines *List_of_Philippine_companies#Media *Television_networks#Philippines

=External links=