Majority of Filipinos Back ABS-CBN Franchise Renewal

A strong majority of Filipinos support the renewal of ABS-CBN’s broadcast franchise, according to a February 2025 nationwide survey conducted by independent polling firm WR Numero.

The non-commissioned survey found that 69% of respondents favor the renewal of the media giant’s legislative franchise, with only 10% opposing and 21% undecided.

The results were released after the House Committee on Legislative Franchises held its first hearing on February 5 regarding the network’s application for a new franchise, nearly five years after ABS-CBN was ordered off the air.

The National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease-and-desist order against ABS-CBN in May 2020, shortly after its previous 25-year franchise expired and the House of Representatives declined to grant its renewal.

Support for the franchise renewal is highest in Metro Manila, where 79% of respondents expressed approval.

This is followed by the Visayas at 73%, Mindanao at 69%, and the rest of Luzon at 65%.

Opposition to the renewal remained low in all regions, with the highest recorded in Luzon outside of Metro Manila at 12%.

Across age groups, support was strongest among Filipinos aged 31 to 59, with 72% in favor.

Approval was also high among those aged 60 and above (70%) and those 30 and under (66%).

The highest disapproval, at 10%, was seen among respondents aged 30 and below and those aged 31 to 59.

By income class, support levels were nearly uniform: 71% among Class ABC, 70% in Class D, and 69% in Class E.

Disapproval rates across income brackets remained below 10%, with the lowest among Class D at 8%.

WR Numero also found that support cuts across political alignments.

Nearly four in five (79%) of respondents who identified as aligned with the current administration favored the franchise renewal.

This is slightly higher than support from the opposition (77%), independents (74%), and those with no clear political affiliation (61%).

Opposition to the franchise renewal was highest among those aligned with the political opposition at 11%, though overall disapproval across political groups remained low.

The Philippine Public Opinion Monitor survey was conducted from February 10 to 18 through face-to-face interviews with 1,814 adults aged 18 and above.

It has a ±2% margin of error at the national level and ±5% to ±6% across regional subgroups at a 95% confidence level.

The legislative franchise renewal of ABS-CBN remains a highly anticipated and politically sensitive issue, with public sentiment playing a key role as lawmakers deliberate on the bill.

If granted, the new franchise would restore ABS-CBN’s full broadcasting operations, which include free-to-air television and radio services nationwide.