NTC stops operation of Sky Cable’s broadcast services

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered both Sky Cable’s direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service and ABS-CBN’s digital broadcast on Channel 43 to stop operations today.

The NTC order for Sky Cable required them to explain within ten days upon receipt why the commission should not recall the radio frequencies assigned to it for lack of the necessary congressional franchise.

The agency also ordered Sky Cable to refund subscribers' unconsumed prepaid loads, deposits on equipment and devices, advance payment in monthly charges for postpaid subscribers and charges collected from new applicants, among other fees.

The NTC earlier granted Sky Cable a provisional authority to install, operate and maintain direct broadcast satellite services in 251 cities and municipalities nationwide that was effective from December 23, 2015 to June 23, 2017. The provisional authority was then extended up to June 23, 2021 when it expired in 2017.

The NTC however said Sky Cable’s DBS service and digital Channel 43 are covered by ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise that expired on May 4 this year and should have ceased broadcasts.

ABS-CBN stopped its free TV and radio broadcasting services on May 5 following the franchise’s expiration.

The media company said it will comply with the new cease-and-desist orders and will cease broadcasts for both Sky Cable DBS and Channel 43 tonight.