CNN Philippines, the localized version of the CNN news channel for the densely populated Southeast Asian nation, took to the air today.
The service is a venture bringing together Turner Broadcasting’s CNN International and the Philippines conglomerate Nine Media Corporation. Broadcasting predominantly in English but with localized content and an accompanying website, it takes over the frequencies occupied by Nine’s 9TV.
Plans for the Philippines version were first unveiled in October last year.
Turner says that the launch is part of a strategic effort by CNN International Commercial’s Content Sales and Partnerships Group. “The core business is to explore ways in which CNN can reach more consumers locally, regionally and internationally by partnering with other leading media organizations,” Turner said. CNN Philippines follows other local versions in Indonesia and India and, outside Asia, in Turkey and Chile.
Operating from studios in Manila the network will offer a combination of local and international news as well as current affairs, feature programming and documentaries. The CNNPhilippines.com website will offer news, coverage of business, science and technology, entertainment and sports, as well as opinion and analysis, special reports, exclusive interviews and videos.
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CNN Philippines is available on free-to-air television in Manila, Cebu, Davao and other key cities, on cable TV through providers Sky Cable, Destiny Cable, Cablelink, Cignal and over 200 cable affiliates nationwide.
“We are confident the Filipino audience is going to embrace CNN Philippines and the unmatched news and information it delivers – something not seen in this country before,” said CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker in a statement.
“This is such significant milestone not only for Nine Media but for Filipinos everywhere. This is a news service they have never had before. We aspire to be the trusted name in news in the Philippines,” said Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua, chairman of Nine Media Corporation, in a statement.
