In the Philippines, Digital television broadcasts can be received through digital cable and direct broadcast satellite.

Digital terrestrial television (DTT) services are currently in development by the major broadcasting companies of the Philippines. Currently using the American NTSC standard for analog television, the National Telecommunications Commission officially announced in June 2010 that DTT in the Philippines would utilize the Japanese ISDB-T standard, and issued a circular stating that the country's broadcasters must discontinue their analog services by the transition deadline of 11:59 p.m. (Philippine Standard Time,UTC+8) on December 31, 2015. The commission will be using the ultra-high frequency television channels from 14 to 51 between 470-698 megahertz for digital terrestrial television broadcast service and deliberating [1] channels 14 to 20 (470-512 MHz) which is currently being used for fixed/mobile services. However, before the official announcement, several broadcasters performed trial broadcasts using DVB-T. Preparation for the transition to digital television commenced with an issuance of Executive Order 546, series of 1979 and Republic Act 3846 or the Radio Control Law as amended by the local governing body for broadcast services, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and adopted the said order to promulgate rules and regulations in order to facilitate the entry of digital broadcast services in the Philippines and implement a specific standard for the delivery of DTT services. Subsequently organizing two technical working groups for the purpose of directing the governing body in the selection of appropriate DTT standard and upon the commendation of investors in the broadcast business, comprising the local broadcasters group, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, the NTC issued Memorandum Circular 02-06-2010 on June 11, 2010 implementing the standard for digital terrestrial television broadcast service.

Since the early 2000s, studies have been carried out on the country's digital television transition. A wait and see plan is being trailed and examining progresses with no resolution to ensue with digital [3] television services in the Philippines. The NTC chose to use the Japanese standard ISDB-T for digital television in the country in Memorandum Circular 02-06-2010, noting its capability to 3 levels of categorized modulation (audio, video and data services) to fixed, portable and handheld devices [4] exclusive of the necessity for a supplementary communication facility. In the draft version of the NTC's proposed regulations for DTV, broadcast companies who intend to provide digital terrestrial television service must have a congressional broadcast franchise before operating such services and have at least 15 television stations throughout the Philippines; have a minimum paid-up capital of Php1 billion and accessible locally in 10 regions while broadcasting companies with less than the required television stations and availability locally, the minimum paid-up capital will be Php1.2 billion, whereas new applicants with no present broadcast station, the paid-up capital will be Php1.5 billion. For those broadcast companies who intend to delivery digital broadcast locally, must procure a congressional franchise and have at least Php60 million per digital terrestrial television station. Concurring to the commission, the outline of digital technology in the broadcasting service would guarantee the effectiveness of the broadcast business and provide them the prospect to offer superior facilities to end-user. The draft outline as an enactment of the digital technology in the television broadcast is intended to provide greater number of channels, better screen resolution and stereo sounds through a conventional aerial antenna instead of a satellite or cable TV service.

Initially, the commission adopted the European standard DVB-T for digital broadcasting. The broadcast providers adopt either high-definition television format or its standard definition multiprogramming. The draft IRR also states that a duly broadcast provider with a congressional franchise will deliver analog television service and must carry its present analog television programs through its digital terrestrial television service. For digital broadcast provider aiming to offer pay-per-view or restricted access will be required to seek additional permission from the commission. Supplementary services may be permissible, subject to prevailing decrees, acts and laws. The draft rules equally specify the commission shall continue to process new applications for analog television stations up to December 31, 2008 but will no longer approve or authorized to broadcast beyond December 31, 2010 and all certified digital broadcast providers will relinquish their individual analog frequencies upon the termination of its analog television broadcast transmission by 11:59 p.m., Thursday, December 31, 2015

Terrestrial
ABS-CBN: ABS-CBN Corporation intends to spend 1 billion pesos on its transition to digital broadcasting. ABS-CBN announced on April 4, 2011 that it would be prepared to launch 5 free "premium" channels on a DTT platform as soon as the NTC finalized its regulations surrounding digital television. ABS-CBN will be using UHF channel 35 (596602 MHz) for its ISDB-T test, and channel 51 (692698 MHz), which was previously used for test broadcasts using DVB-T. Their initial test was conducted in areas of Valenzuela, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna. In November 2010, ABS-CBN began rolling out its digital broadcast in 17 cities in Metropolitan Manila including selected [6][7] areas in Bulacan and Pampanga. PTV: The state broadcaster People's Television Network began DTT trials using ISDB-T in 2009 using channel 48. In 2011, the Japanese government donated additional equipment to the network in order to approve its digital services. PTN is also planning to operate an emergency notification [8][9] system using the digital platform. ABC: ABC Development Corporation, operator of TV5 will use ISDB-T for its DTT trials; a simulcast of DWET-TV on DWDZ-TV. Stressing the importance of the transition, the broadcaster plans to [10] migrate DWET-TV to digital as soon as possible. GMA: GMA Network, Inc. is presently applying for a digital television license from the NTC to install and maintain transmitting stations that will be attuned with and utilize to offer digital terrestrial [11][12] television and digital mobile TV broadcast services, using channel 27. Areas planned for a [13] temporary digital broadcast will cover the cities of Quezon City, Makati, Pasig,Tagaytay, and Angeles in Pampanga; and areas like Ortigas, Cavite, and Calumpit in Bulacan. GMA was vocal about the NTC's choice of DTV standard; on March 27, 2011, a GMA executive proposed the use of the updated European standard DVB-T2 as opposed to ISDB-T due to its better quality. However, the [14][14][15] NTC did not change its decision. Eagle Broadcasting Corporation: In partnership with the Christian Era Broadcasting Service, the companies launched the first digital television station in the country, DZCE-TV, GEMNET, in 2007. [16][17] Initially broadcasting in DVB-T, it shifted to using ISDB-T in 2009. BEAM: Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media, Inc., owned by a joint consortium led by Bethlehem Holdings, Inc., an investee of Globe Telecom Retirement Fund through its holding company HALO Holdings Inc. (which owns 39 percent of Altimax Broadcasting Company), applied for

digital broadcast using the European standard, the DVB-T digital broadcast. The station uses the [18][19] frequency of UHF Channel 31, which is currently airing Jack City. [edit]Cable SkyCable: In October 2010, SkyCable announced it would migrate at least 80% of its subscribers in Metro Manila to a digital cable platform with new Digiboxes by 2011. SkyCable allocated 20 percent of its Php1 billion capital expenditure in order to fund the migration. SkyCable adopted the DVBC standard for its digital cable system. The new platform also allowed SkyCable to additionally [20][21] introduce high definition channels to its lineup. Global Destiny Cable: In March 2009, Global Destiny Cable began to offer its own digital cable services, investing Php500 to Php700 million on headend and infrastructure updates and the [22][23] distribution of digital set-top boxes for its subscribers. Parasat Cable: Parasat Cable TV, the cable provider of Mindanao, introduced digital cable in July 2009. It has rolled out its services to Cagayan de Oro City; municipalities of Opol andTagoloan; in Malaybalay and San Carlos, Negros Occidental; Ginoog City; municipalities of Balingasag, Don [24][25] Carlos and Valencia City, Bukidnon; and, the east and west sides of Misamis Oriental.

July 2007. Television firms who plan to broadcast digital terrestrial television services to television and other communication devices cannot implement such as the commission is revising its guidelines on digital television programming. However, the commission allows broadcast firms to test its system while waiting for the implementing rules and regulations (IRR). The development comes in light with telecom company, Smart Communications Inc. through its MediaQuest Holdings, Inc. for its myTV service. The commission reiterates in the absence of IRR, the telecom company cannot charge the [28] service being offered to its subscribers. June 2009. In formulating the transition from analog television broadcast to digital terrestrial television (DTT) transmission in the Philippines and to guide the commission in outlining the planned implementing rules and regulations for the enactment of DTT service, ultra-high frequency television channels 14 to 51 (470-698 MHz) will be assigned to the DTT Broadcast Service and deliberating further channels 14 to 20 (470-512 MHz) which is currently being used by Fixed and Mobile Service. On June 24, 2009, the local unit of the commission, the Frequency Management Division is assigned to formulate a frequency allocation plan for the effective transmission of appropriate users of [29] channels 14 to 20. February 2010. The Philippines is anticipated to deferment its planned analog television signal automatic switch-off in 2015 due to technicalities in implementing an official digital terrestrial television platform. While other members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations cooperatively accepted the digital video broadcasting-terrestrial or the DVB-T as its favored standard, the [30] Philippines have not adopted any platform. February 2011. The National Telecommunications Commission plans to implement the digital terrestrial television service in select key cities in the Philippines in 2012. The governing body desires the transition be implemented gradually. The technical working group has yet not classified where the transition will take place. Key cities in the Philippines are being considered but in the absence of an implementing rules and regulations, the digital terrestrial television service may not be fully consummate to the viewing public. While the transition will be made progressively, broadcasting

networks can still convey analog television service although DTT is being rationalized in other areas. Meanwhile, the commission set an 85 percent compliance rate before it consider terminating all [31][32] analog signals for broadcast transmission. December 2010. The governments of Japan and the Philippines reached a collaboration decision in adopting a memorandum of cooperation resulting in the commissions earlier pronouncement to use the Japaneses Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial platform for digital terrestrial television broadcast standard for the Philippines. According to theCommission on Information and Communications Technology, the Japanese government is keen on guiding Filipino counterpart to the technology. The Philippine government also requested its counterpart to shoulder the cost of settop boxes and also deliberating in rescheduling the compulsory switchover from analog transmission [33] to digital broadcast from an earlier target. March 2011. The National Telecommunications Commission asked to reevaluate the platform to be used for the Philippines digital television broadcast. The regulator is studying the possible implementation of a newer platform, the European second-generation Digital Video BroadcastingTerrestrial (DVB-T2) substituting the Japanese Integrated Services Digital BroadcastTerrestrial(ISDB-T) standard that the commission adopted earlier and was the basis of creating implementing rules and regulations for digital broadcast. Experts announced the DVB-T2 is more superior to its Japanese counterpart. Broadcasting firms, GMA Network, Inc. and TV5 conveyed their support to reevaluate its earlier decision to adopt ISDB-T platform. The commission adopted the [14] ISDB-T primarily owing in terms of affordability. April 2011. One of Philippines broadcasting firm, ABS-CBN Corporation criticized the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for conveying varied indications on the Philippines official stand on digital television standard. The firm panned the commission on its incompetence in supporting its initial pronouncement to implement Japanese digital television standard, theIntegrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). In 2010, the commission officially led the digital television period in the Philippines and releases a memorandum circular agreeing the use of ISDB-T as the standard digital platform. But in recent developments, the commission is considering the European digital television platform, the European Digital Video Broadcast-Terrestrial (DVB-T). [34] According to the commission, the European platform is more superior to its Japanese counterpart. May 2011. Television companies in the Philippines have supported the local governing body to reevaluate the digital television standard to be used, and the attempt to reconsider the advancement of the Japanese technology (ISDB-T) over the newer version of the European digital television platform. Broadcasting companies initiated to delay the switchover provided the technology will be used is far more advanced than the initial digital standard adopted on June 11, 2010. GMA Network, Inc. and TV5 agreed to do comparative tests with the European and Japanese standard. Currently, the commission is simultaneously drafting the implementing rules and regulations for digital terrestrial [35] television broadcast under the Japanese platform and reviewing the DVB-T2 European standard. August 2011. Philippine local agency, the National Telecommunication Commission has finalized its evaluation on the chosen standard for the digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcast service in the Philippines. The commission adopted the Japans Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Television (ISDB-T) standards over its European counterpart, the Digital Video Broadcasting-Television (DVB[36][37] T2).

The country's government television network began operations in 1974 as Government Television (GTV4). It was renamed Maharlika Broadcasting System in 1980 followed by switching into color TV. Following the People Power Revolution in 1986, it was rebranded as People's Television (PTV). On March 26, 1992, President Cory Aquino signed Republic Act 7306 turning PTV Network into a government corporation known formally as People's Television Network, Inc. Shortly after he took over the mantle of government in June 1992, President Fidel V. Ramos appointed PTV Network's first board of directors. The Network was given a one-time equity funding for capital outlay. Since 1992, PTV has been operating on revenues it generates on its own. Republic Act 7306 stipulates that the government shall not appropriate funds for the operations of the Network. PTNI is on full satellite transmission nationwide since 1992 using PALAPA C2. Its flagship station PTV-4, which is based in Quezon City, boasts of a 40-kilowatt brand-new transmitter sitting on a 500 ft (150 m) tower. With its 32 provincial stations across the country, the network has extended its reach and coverage to approximately 85 percent of the television viewing public nationwide. So far, PTNI has come up with the kind of programs that have earned for itself the Hall of Fame Award for Best Station and for Most Balanced Programming in 1987 and two succeeding years thereafter, from the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA). It has, to its name, several pioneering and award-winning educational, cultural and public service programs for their relevance and production excellence. In 1996, PTV won the award for Best TV Station ID in the PMPC Star Awards for Television. PTNI has pioneered educational and cultural programming. Some of its award-winning programs were Tele-aralan ng Kakayahan (which predated ABS-CBN's The Knowledge Channel by decades), Ating Alamin, Small World (and its successor) Kidsongs, For Art's Sake, Coast to Coast and Paco Park Presents. In 1990s, at the core of its educational programming is the Continuing Education Via Television or CONSTEL, a program aimed at upgrading teaching skills of elementary and secondary teachers of Science and English. Institutionalized by Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), CONSTEL Science and English are being used in teacher training by the Regional and Divisional Leader Schools of the Department of Education, culture and Sports and in Teacher Education Institutions of the Commission on Higher Education. PTNI has also been the official broadcaster of major international sports competitions. It has covered the Olympic Games, starting with the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, except Barcelona Olympics in 1992 (covered by ABS-CBN), the Beijing Olympics in 2008 (covered by Solar Entertainment Corporation) and the London Games in 2012 (covered by TV5). PTNI was the carrying station of the South East Asian Games in 1991, 1995, 2005, and 2007, missing in 2009, Asian Games from 1986 to 2006 and the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in 2007 and 2009. During these coverages, PTNI has received commendations from various sports organizations. In 1996, it received a presidential citation from then President Fidel V. Ramos for the successful coverage of the Atlanta Olympic Games.

NBN logo from 2006-2011

On July 16, 2001, under the new management appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, PTNI adopted the name National Broadcasting Network (NBN) carrying a new slogan "One People. One Nation. One Vision." for a new image in line with its new programming thrusts, they continues the new name until the Aquino administration in 2010. NBN expanded its broadcast reach with the launching of NBN World on February 19, 2003 in cooperation with the Television and Radio Broadcasting Service (TARBS). This global expansion signals new directions for NBN as it becomes accessible to the rest of the world, particularly the millions of Filipinos overseas. NBN can be seen in Australia, North America and the Asia-Pacific. NBN is transmitting via satellite nationwide using Agila 2 but now moved to ABS 1 last September 2011. Before the year 2010, NBN main studios in Quezon City and its regional stations in Baguio, Cebu and Naga will be equipped with the most modern news gathering equipment for them to compete with the major television networks. Also, a new Harris Transmitter has been installed. NBN's transmitter power shall be increased from 40 kW to 60 kW. NBN's digital channel is now available on channel 48 using the Japanese digital TV standard. In 2011, NBN continued to enhance its digital broadcasting capabilities with equipment donated from the Japanese government. This equipment will also allow NBN to begin broadcasting emergency alerts when necessary (similar to the Emergency Alert System in the United States, but it is more likely, due to the usage of the Japanese digital TV standard, that the system would be based on the Japanese JAlert system).

Station logo from 2011-2012.

Although the branding is officially known as the National Broadcasting Network, in August 2011, the "People's Television" brand which was retired in 2001 was reintroduced as a secondary brand until a few months later, PTNI became a primary brand, and the branding National Broadcasting Network was retired. [edit]Programming Main article: List of programs broadcast by People's Television Network PTV airs several news and public service shows, documentaries and other programs. PTV serves as the main television broadcast arm of the government. The network is a part of the Messaging Division of the government's newly-formed Presidential Communications Group. Its programming is diverse from the two other state-controlled networks IBC & RPN since PTV focuses on its function as the government's voice, while IBC and RPN are general entertainment channels due to its programming.