Historical Background
ABS-CBN Corporation (“ABS-CBN” or the “Company”) traces its roots from Bolinao Electronics Corporation (BEC), established in 1946 as an assembler of radio transmitting equipment. In 1952, BEC adopted the business name Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) and began setting up the country’s first television broadcast by 1953. On September 24, 1956, Chronicle Broadcasting Network (CBN), owned by Don Eugenio Lopez Sr. of the Lopez family, was organized primarily for radio broadcasting. In 1957, Don Eugenio Lopez Sr. acquired ABS and on February 1, 1967, the operations of ABS and CBN were integrated and BEC changed its corporate name to ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. On August 16, 2010, the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the change of Company’s corporate name to ABS-CBN Corporation. This change is a reflection of the Company’s diversified businesses in existing and new industries.
ABS-CBN achieved many firsts since it started the television industry in the country in 1953. However, with the imposition of martial law in September 1972, ABS-CBN ceased operations as the government forcibly took control of the Company. ABS-CBN resumed commercial operations on September 14, 1986 after the People Power or EDSA revolution.
Recovery after 14 years of absence was difficult as resources were scarce. Nevertheless, through relentless effort, ABS-CBN recaptured leadership in the Philippine television and radio industries by 1988. During the 1990s and the early part of the new millennium, the Company expanded and ventured into complementary businesses in cable TV, international distribution, mobile services, and magazine publishing among others.
ABS-CBN Corporation (“ABS-CBN” or the “Company”) traces its roots from Bolinao Electronics Corporation (BEC), established in 1946 as an assembler of radio transmitting equipment. In 1952, BEC adopted the business name Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) and began setting up the country’s first television broadcast by 1953. On September 24, 1956, Chronicle Broadcasting Network (CBN), owned by Don Eugenio Lopez Sr. of the Lopez family, was organized primarily for radio broadcasting. In 1957, Don Eugenio Lopez Sr. acquired ABS and on February 1, 1967, the operations of ABS and CBN were integrated and BEC changed its corporate name to ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. On August 16, 2010, the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the change of Company’s corporate name to ABS-CBN Corporation. This change is a reflection of the Company’s diversified businesses in existing and new industries.
ABS-CBN achieved many firsts since it started the television industry in the country in 1953. However, with the imposition of martial law in September 1972, ABS-CBN ceased operations as the government forcibly took control of the Company. ABS-CBN resumed commercial operations on September 14, 1986 after the People Power or EDSA revolution.
Recovery after 14 years of absence was difficult as resources were scarce. Nevertheless, through relentless effort, ABS-CBN recaptured leadership in the Philippine television and radio industries by 1988. During the 1990s and the early part of the new millennium, the Company expanded and ventured into complementary businesses in cable TV, international distribution, mobile services, and magazine publishing among others.