TV5 and Aksyon TV Expand Worldwide!

After making waves in Philippine broadcasting and expanding its reach to key cities all over the country, TV5 takes another giant leap forward by launching two international channels that will give Filipinos overseas access to the network’s most popular programs.

The two new channels – Kapatid TV5 and Aksyon TV International – are being run by the network’s affiliate company Pilipinas Global Network, Ltd. (PGN Ltd.), a British Virgin Islands company which is 60% owned by PLDT and 40% owned by ABC Development Corporation. These will initially be made available to television viewers in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.

“Our vision is to build a global community of subscribers who wish to remain connected with their Filipino roots. We shall provide our global Kapatids a bundle of services that will bring them even closer to their loved ones back home,” said Claro P. Carmelo Ramirez, President of PGN, Ltd.

Kapatid TV5 carries most of TV5’s flagship programs such as Face to Face, Wil Time Bigtime, Babaeng Hampaslupa, Juicy, Paparazzi, Talentadong Pinoy, Wow Mali, R U Kidding Me?, Sugo Mga Kapatid, Bagets, Iskul Bukol, among others.

Meanwhile, the Aksyon TV International is a news, information, public service and sports channel that will air News5 programs Aksyon, Aksyon Journalismo, Andar ng mga Balita, Tutok Tulfo, Wanted, Dokumentado, USI, Public Atorni, Alagang Kapatid, Cristy Ferminute, Duelo, Kalibre 41, plus other TV5 news and public affairs programs. It will also carry local sports programs from AKTV (TV5’s primetime sports block on IBC-13).

Aside from these two channels, PGN Ltd. is also exclusively responsible for the syndication business which aims to distribute TV5’s programs to other broadcasters and channels in the various continents; both for Filipino and non-Filipino viewers.

Pilipinas Global Network, Ltd. also announced its entry into the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa through its partner, Orbit Showtime Network (OSN), a subscription television service in these territories which broadcasts channels in Arabic, English, and Filipino languages. OSN was founded through a merger between Orbit Communications Company and Showtime Arabia. Its headquarters is located in Dubai Media City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. OSN is the ultimate destination for the widest choice of brand new premium entertainment in these regions.

“We are very happy to welcome Kapatid TV5 and Aksyon TV International to the OSN platform,” said David Butorac, CEO of OSN. “The entry of these 2 premium Filipino channels further cements our drive to provide the best Philippine news and entertainment to our Filipino subscribers in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.”

With OSN, the Kapatid TV5 and Aksyon TV International channels will be available in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Palestine and in the OSN market in Europe that includes Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernesey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the Vatican City.

Pilipinas Global Network, Ltd. is also looking at expanding into the US and Canada towards the end of 2011, and well as in the Asia and the Pacific regions.