THE TOUR

Entrance

I was very excited to visit for the first time the ABS-CBN studio since it is the only local channel that I am interested in. Truth be told, I am not that knowledgeable of any of the shows that are being aired on the ABS-CBN channel. You can also say that I don’t even know most of the stars that work there. What I am only acquainted with is the news segments of the channel itself. I was more excited to visit the studio of the news departments especially of the “TV-Patrol” where I am more interested to go to.

Kapamilya Stars' Handprints

So early in the morning, I left in a hurry trying to surpass traffic in EDSA. When I have arrived there, I stayed in the meeting place which was the Starbucks, where I also had my breakfast. Another reason why I arrived ahead of schedule was that my thesis group were to start preparing our presentation for our defence on the following week after.

Hanging out at the orientation room

Finally, upon entering the ABS-CBN studio site, we were first brought to a small room where our guide gave us a brief introduction and history of the ABS-CBN as well as a few reminders and some give-aways.

Introduction of the Tour

I did my own research about the company and found out many interesting facts.

ABS-CBN is a major Filipino commercial television network owned and operated by the Filipino media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation, a publicly traded company. It is the country's leading television network as well as among the first commercial television networks in Asia. Its headquarters is in Quezon City with regional offices and news bureaus in over 25 provincial areas throughout the country. Today the flagship terrestrial television channel in Mega Manila is DWWX-TV (VHF channel 2). The network operates terrestrially through the Regional Network Group with its 25 fully owned originating television stations, 35 strategically located relay stations and 8 affiliate network making it the largest terrestrial television network in the country. It is also seen worldwide on cable television and direct-to-home satellite. The network is also set for digital broadcasting and just waiting for the permission from the NTC. ABS-CBN has advertising revenues amounted to 17.5 billion pesos for the year 2011.

Studio 9: Kris TV

Our first stop was in studio 9 where “Kris TV” is stationed at. When we arrived inside the studio, it was very dark since they cannot turn the lights on because of regulations. It was a small area compared to what we usually see on the TV. This is because the studio uses a wide capture camera type to show the audience a much wider view thus giving of the appearance of a larger studio.

Studio 10

The next studio we went to was studio 10 where there was a preparation for a talent contest to be broadcasted. The same studio is also used for other shows like “ASAP”. This was one of the largest studios the ABS-CBN has in their area. I also noticed some of the broadcasting equipment the television crew were using and they were generous to share their knowledge about it. Moreover, I noticed in the studio a very large green cloth which is used for background effects entirely done through their broadcasting equipment and computers.

Control Equipment

Recording Modules

Studio 6: ANC

Finally, the first news studio we visited was that of “ANC”. The first thing I noticed about the studio was that it has numerous monitors used as background props and that the room was well lit. They were using special spotlights to highlight the news anchors and other people in the room. Inside the studio, it was also my first time to see at first-hand the type of cameras they were using. The camera they used has a special type of output lens in which it can simultaneously record as well as show live scripts for the reporters to read to without interrupting the recording. This also lets the reporter directly face the camera while also reading his/her script.

ANC Newsroom

Cameras used in ANC

During the tour, I was really excited to know that we are now approaching the studio for “TV Patrol” where I can see the actual area the reporters are broadcasting the news. However, it was very unfortunate that the tour cannot enter the area since is already being prepared for the day’s live broadcast and that we cannot just walk through during the time.

Broadcasting Facilities

One other area we also visited was the antenna tower and the transmitter station of the ABS-CBN compound. Sadly, we cannot take pictures inside because of some security reasons. The antenna tower is directly located above the station itself where it houses different microwave antennas. Inside the transmitter station, we saw different broadcasting equipment used for the transmitting processes. These equipment are used for multiplexing, decoding, recording, and of course transmitting. The electrician present at the time explained to us the process in which the transmission of the information they gather are being processed and that this data come from other stations and facilities inside the compound.

Antenna Tower

Afterwards, the last visit of the tour was the recording, editing, and archiving facilities. These are all located inside another building inside the compound in which these tasks of managing the videos to be broadcasted are being processed. It is also unfortunate that we also cannot take pictures inside because of their regulations. They manage different shows on different time intervals and coordinate it with other shows for airing schedules. The editing of the videos includes the insertion of commercials and other information from different shows or channels. When we got to the archiving section, I first noticed that they were still using tapes and not CDs or hard drives. Though some of their records are indeed saved in CDs and hard drives, tapes are used for their equipment and some restrictions. Either way, they are still able to deliver quality broadcasting for televisions.

Dolphy Theater

Transmitter Building

Towards the end of the tour, I find myself satisfied to know that I was able to visit my first broadcasting facility, not to mention it is my most favourite local channel of them all. Even though I am not knowledgeable of several of the shows they broadcast on the TV, I am quite sure that they also maintain a good standard of community inside the compound. I admire the ABS-CBN founder at what he envisions for the country and the Filipinos on the broadcasting services the company shall provide for.

Eugenio Lopez Jr: Chairman of ABS-CBN