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

By Staff Writer

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.
Article Information
Comments (0)
LEAVE A REPLY
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Related Articles

PHP6.5-B BUDGET SOUGHT: Panay dam project could start before 2028
The National Irrigation Administration in Western Visayas (NIA-6) is pushing for a PHP6.5 billion allocation in 2027 to start major civil works for the Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project (PRBIDP) in Tapaz, Capiz, before 2028, as detailed engineering design (DED) and feasibility study (FS) activities near completion. NIA-6 Regional Manager


