For almost two decades, ABS-CBN S+A, formerly known as Studio 23, has been the platform for dreamers and aspirants to showcase their god-given athletic skills.
On one rainy Friday afternoon, that medium was shut down.
With a 70-11-1-2 vote, the House of Representatives denied the renewal of ABS-CBN’s re-application for the right to go on the air.
The resolution was named “Denying the Franchise Application of ABS-CBN Corporation to Construct, Install, Establish, Operate, and Maintain Radio and Broadcasting Stations in the Philippines”.
This covers all of ABS-CBN’s properties, including UHF channel 23.
With this, collegiate leagues like the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines will have to have a new television partner.
The partnership between ABS-CBN and UAAP ended last May, while the NCAA still has five seasons left in its 10-year deal signed back in 2015.
In addition, the Premier Volleyball League was in its final year of partnership with the station, while the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League had just renewed its ties.
The eastern hemisphere’s largest martial arts promotion ONE Championship will also have to look for a new block time partner.
Besides the leagues, also affected by this are the sportswriters of leading Philippine sports news outlet ABS-CBN Sports, the crew covering the games, and the talents that bring life to the competitions.
