The University Athletic Association of the Philippines formalized a fresh five-year contract extension with broadcast partner Cignal TV, ensuring that the league’s games will continue to reach audiences nationwide and internationally from Season 89 to Season 93.
With the renewed broadcast and marketing partnership, Cignal will remain the UAAP’s official broadcast partner for the next five seasons, beginning with Season 89, which Far Eastern University will host. This extends a long-standing collaboration that has significantly enhanced the league’s visibility and accessibility through Cignal’s multiple broadcast and streaming platforms.
Since joining forces in 2020, Cignal has significantly expanded the reach of UAAP games through free-to-air broadcasts on One Sports, while also launching the UAAP Varsity Channel, the country’s first and only 24/7 channel dedicated solely to varsity sports.
“I think we’re very glad and privileged to extend our coverage of the UAAP, which is the premier sports league in the country, with its member universities. It’s a five-year engagement, and we promise to improve the coverage of all the sports of the association,” MediaQuest Holdings Inc. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.
“There’s no pragmatic reason. Sports is one avenue for a certain segment of our people and the disadvantaged to obtain the material blessings they won’t be able to get by them becoming a basketball player, a badminton player, or whatever. It gives them that avenue to improve their welfare,” Pangilinan added on his continued support for the growth of Philippine sports.
“Number two, it teaches values that are important to life. The discipline, the hard work, the ability to be magnanimous in victory and humble in defeat. So it just improves the overall character of people or persons.”
In 2023, Cignal further expanded its coverage to OTT through the launch of Pilipinas Live, primarily aimed at bringing all UAAP events to fans around the world.
While flagship events such as men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and the annual cheerdance competition remain the UAAP’s mainstream draws, Cignal has continuously worked hand-in-hand with the league to broaden coverage of developing sports such as women’s basketball, men’s volleyball, football, baseball, beach volleyball, and esports, among others.
Season 88 Chairman and University of Santo Tomas rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., expressed confidence in the strengthened partnership, emphasizing the importance of consistent, high-quality coverage in showcasing the talent and stories of student-athletes across all disciplines in the UAAP.
“Today’s ceremonial signing represents a shared vision to elevate varsity sports, empower young athletes, and bring the excitement of the UAAP games into homes across the nation through a wide-reaching broadcast coverage, and we ensure that the talent, hard work, and determination of our varsity players are recognized and appreciated at a larger scale,” Fr. Ang said.
“The UAAP strongly dedicates itself to fostering intellectual growth, sportsmanship, leadership, and a strong sense of community through sports. It is our commitment to bring into life the transformative power of sports, to unite the member schools, nurture dreams and aspirations, and inspire young people to build this nation,” he added.
For its part, MediaQuest President and CEO Ricky Vargas reiterated Cignal’s commitment to delivering fresh concepts and comprehensive broadcasts that aim to capture the spirit of varsity sports — whether at the grassroots level or the collegiate stage.
“We’re very happy that we are working with the UAAP. It’s a content that we value, it’s content that the Filipinos love, and it’s a content that supports our love for basketball, and it’s a content where the Filipino people enjoy,” Vargas said.
“It would be a crime if we do not cover the UAAP to the Filipino people, as we look at ourselves as a sports channel since we have one of the widest range of sports content. And we value the UAAP. We value your partnership, and we hope every year that we cover the games, you give us feedback so that we can continue to improve,” he added.
With the extension now signed and sealed, both Cignal and the UAAP re-emphasized their commitment to working hand-in-hand to enhance the viewing experience, explore new platforms and modes of storytelling, and deepen fan engagement as the league continues to grow in the years to come.
