ABS-CBN HD

ABS-CBN HD was a Philippine pay television channel, working as the high-definition feed of ABS-CBN. It was launched on October 3, 2015 initially on Sky Cable and Destiny Cable and later on iWant, Sky On Demand, and Sky Direct, broadcasting in 1080i at a frame rate of 50 fps (via Sky Direct).

Background

In 2007, ABS-CBN produced the first ever Filipino TV series to be shot in high-definition, Rounin, a science fiction, fantasy series created by Erik Matti. This was followed by Budoy in 2011. Prior to this, big budget series like Esperanza, Mula Sa Puso, Pangako Sa 'Yo, and Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay were shot in 16mm film with a 4:3 aspect ratios while low budget series on the other hand were shot in smaller formats. Beginning with Be Careful With My Heart in 2012, all of ABS-CBN's TV series were all produced in high-definition format. Ningning is the first Filipino TV series to be broadcast in HD on October 5, 2015 while Maalaala Mo Kaya is the first mini-series to do so the day before. On the other hand, the first ever locally produced live entertainment program to be broadcast in HD is the musical variety show ASAP on October 4, 2015, while TV Patrol Weekend was the first live news program of the network to transition to HD on April 1, 2018.

On April 19, 2009, Sony announced the acquisition of ABS-CBN of 24 units of its Sony high-definition professional video cameras through a press release published on Sony's official website.

On July 11, 2009, ABS-CBN launched a high definition feed of Balls in SkyCable under the name Balls HD, the first local high-definition TV channel in the history of Philippine television. In the same day, Balls HD broadcast the first locally produced coverage of an event in high-definition, the UAAP Season 72 basketball game which was produced by ABS-CBN Sports.

In addition, two of its three news helicopters are capable of transmitting high-definition live feeds from its 5 axis gimbal HD camera mounted on the aircraft.

On April 20, 2010, Ikegami, a Japanese manufacturer of professional and broadcast television equipment announced the acquisition of ABS-CBN of 75 units of Ikegami high-definition professional video cameras for electronic news gathering.

On October 3, 2015, ABS-CBN launched a high-definition feed in SkyCable and Destiny Cable under the name ABS-CBN HD. This marked the Philippines' first commercial television network to be launched in high-definition. The said channel would broadcast selected shows of ABS-CBN in true high-definition picture while the remaining shows would be broadcast in upscaled standard definition picture with pillarbox to preserve its original 4:3 aspect ratio.

On June 1, 2017, UHD broadcast started.

On April 1, 2018, all ABS-CBN news shows shown on the network such as Umagang Kay Ganda, TV Patrol, and Bandila started broadcasting in full high definition just like most shows that air on the said channel.

Channel advantage

ABS-CBN UHD is a comprehensive program channel. The program content covers news, variety shows, sports, etc. The 4K program resolution reaches 3840×2160, which is 4 times clearer than the 1080p Full HD signal. Compared with the current mainstream high-definition video, 4K ultra-definition programs have more transparent pictures, more realistic sceneries, richer colors, and more realistic sound effects. It can be said that the combination of ultra-definition video and large-screen TV truly breaks the simple viewing mode between the viewer and the TV, and realizes an immersive and interactive experience of being in it and being on the scene.

In order to build a world-class new mainstream media, ABS-CBN has deployed advanced technology as its lead, in-depth research and application of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G networks, big data, cloud computing, etc., to fully promote the construction of 4K ultra-high-definition television technology system. Firmly grasp the initiative in the development and application of core technologies, and strive to achieve leapfrog development.

Focusing on the development strategy of 4K Ultra-high-definition television, ABS-CBN UHD was a brand-new 4K Ultra-high-definition television production and broadcasting technology system, fully supporting 4K "collecting, editing, broadcasting, storing, and transmitting", through 4K Ultra-high-definition television channels carry out application practices and establish new industry standards.

As the flagship property owned by the media and entertainment company ABS-CBN Corporation, the channel was broadcast from 3:57 am to 2:30 am Monday to Thursday, 3:57 am to 3 am Friday, 4 am to 2 am Saturday and 5:30 am to 1:30 am Sunday at the beginning of the broadcast. The channel will be broadcast for 24 hours on September 10 to 25, 2022 during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.

The content of the ABS-CBN UHD mainly includes 4K UHD TV programs such as documentaries, live sports live videos, news features, cartoons, film and television dramas, etc., and it also undertakes UHD broadcasts of major domestic and foreign events and specials. Signal broadcast, especially the State of the Nation Address, Holy Week, Anniversary and Christmas celebration of Catholic Charismatic group El Shaddai, feast of the Black Nazarene, the annual grand massive crusade at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila and the ultra-high-definition signal broadcast of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in 2022.