By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The PBA has secured a new free-to-air TV channel for the upcoming Season 48 on Zoe Broadcasting Network’s A2Z, as its previous broadcaster, TV5, shifts its focus to airing ABS-CBN’s television series and variety shows.
TV5 president Guido Zaballero announced that they have reached an agreement with the Brother Eddie Villanueva-owned station to broadcast PBA matches live every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
For the upcoming PBA season beginning on November 5, Wednesday and Friday matches are set for 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
The games on Saturday and Sunday will take place at 3:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
“TV5’s partnership with A2Z ensures that Filipinos nationwide have widespread access to live PBA games free-to-air and opens up new audiences to experience the country’s top basketball league,” Zaballero said.
“Our partnership with A2Z allows the PBA a fixed primetime slot across all gamedays, for both games. The PBA is A2Z’s key primetime offering, but the intent is to build strong lead-in programming and further grow the league’s viewership on free-to-air,” he added.
Zoe Broadcasting’s vice president and general manager Rene Gonzalez mentioned that the addition of TV5 provides viewers with an extra option alongside the ABS-CBN shows already airing on their channel.
“A2Z is proud to be the new home of the PBA. We’re delighted to partner with TV5 in this exciting venture so that we may provide our audiences with more programming options,” Gonzalez said.
ABS-CBN, whose programs airing on A2Z are affected by the PBA transfer, expressed their support for the programming adjustments on A2Z, which are being made to accommodate the broadcast of PBA games on the free-to-air channel.
“Simula Nobyembre 5, ilan sa mga ABS-CBN programs na napapanood sa A2Z tuwing Miyerkules, Biyernes at Linggo ay magbibigay-daan sa PBA games simula Season 48,” the ABS-CBN said.
“Mapapanood naman ng A2Z viewers ang mga primetime programs na maapektuhan sa TV5. Suportado ng ABS-CBN at A2Z ang pagbabagong ito na magiging epektibo tuwing may PBA games,” the statement added./ASC, WDJ