Kagawaran Ng Edukasyon Tanggapan Ng Pangalawang Kalihim

Republika ng Pilipinas Kagawaran ng Edukasyon Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Kalihim

AIDE MEMOIRE 04 October 2020

AT LEAST 14 MILLION LEARNERS CAN WATCH DEPED TV

AT LEAST 16 MILLION LEARNERS CAN ACCESS DEPED COMMONS AND DEPED YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Through the partnerships forged between the Department of Education, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and its attached agencies (PTV-4, IBC-13, and PBS), along with Streamtech Systems and Planet Cable Inc., Global Satellite Technology Services, Inc. (GSAT), Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA), Cignal Inc., Gracia Telecoms and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), Solar Entertainment, Sky Cable Corporation, and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), DepEd TV may now be accessed thru Cable TV (CATV), Direct-to-Home (DTH), and Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) subscriptions in the country, in addition to the free TV reach of IBC-13.

I. Cable TV

Cable Television (CATV) enables a system of television reception in which signals from distant stations are picked up by a master antenna and sent by cable to the individual receivers of paying subscribers.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), through Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba, issued Memorandum Order 09-06-2020 mandating ALL CABLE OPERATORS in the Philippines to assist DepEd in providing and ensuring continuity of quality education amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The memorandum, based on Executive Order No. 205 signed by President Corazon Aquino on June 30, 1987, and NTC Memorandum Circular No. 4-08-88, states that CATV operators are required to provide—as public service— an access channel to be used for free by national and local governments, and education.

Office of the Undersecretary for Administration (OUA) [Administrative Service (AS), Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS), Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), Bureau of Learner Support Services (BLSS), Baguio Teachers Camp (BTC), Central Security & Safety Office (CSSO)]

Department of Education, Central Office, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City Rm 519, Mabini Bldg; Mobile: +639260320762; Tel: (+632) 86337203, (+632) 86376207 Email: [email protected]; Facebook/Twitter @depedtayo

As of 2018, the number of Cable subscribers in the Philippines reached 2.3 million, ranking 10th among its Asia Pacific neighbors.

From the most recent data of 2018, subscribers are expected to increase this year 2020. For now, at least 2.3 million subscribers will have free access to programs that will be aired on DepEd TV using the Cable TV access.

DepEd has forged a partnership with the Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA), the biggest organization of CATV operators in the country. Streamtech and Planet Cable belong to this group. Other CATVs, whether independent or belonging to other associations are still mandated to carry free TV IBC-13 as per their franchise obligation, including the dedication of one channel as per EO 205 and NTC MC 4-08-88.

II. Direct-to-Home

Direct-to-Home (DTH) technology enables a broadcasting company to directly beam the signal to one’s TV set through a receiver that is installed in the house.

As of 2018, the number of DTH subscribers in the country was around 3.6 million. Compared to other countries in Asia Pacific, the Philippines ranked 3rd.

DepEd has forged partnership with leading DTH companies like Cignal with 2.7 million subscribers to date, and GSAT with 1 million subscribers to date. Other DTH networks will likewise carry DepEd TV via the free TV IBC-13 which they must carry as part of their franchise responsibility.

This means that the programs to be aired on DepEd TV will be received by at least 3.7 million subscribers of DTH.

III. Digital Terrestrial Television

Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) technology enables land- based television stations to broadcast television content by radio waves to televisions in consumers' residences in a digital format.

The NTC, through Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba issued Memorandum Order 11- 07-2020 which mandates assistance to DepEd to ensure continuity of providing quality education amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The said memorandum was addressed to ALL DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TV (DTT) NETWORKS/OPERATORS in the Philippines.

As of 2018, the number of DTT subscribers in the Philippines was around 6.9 million. Compared to other countries in Asia Pacific, Philippines ranked 8th.

Since this most recent data (2018), it is expected to increase this year, 2020. This means that at least 6.9 million subscribers will have free access to the programs that will be aired on DepEd TV using the Digital Terrestrial Television access.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN claimed that there were 9 million owners of TV Plus Mahiwagang Black boxes across the country by end of 2019, while GMA7 claimed that after the release of GMA Affordabox last June 23, 2020, 600 thousand units have been sold.

These are drastic increases compared to the 2018 data that we have above. This is expected since broadcasting companies are continuously shifting to DTT.

While DepEd has no partnerships with the leading DTT companies, can subscribers of DTT (TVplus, Affordabox and other generic digital black boxes) have access to DepEd TV? Yes, DepEd TV can be watched in any digital black box, regardless of network, as DTH are mandated by their franchise to carry free TV. IBC-13 is free tv and it will air DepEd TV.

IV. Summary

Below is the summary of the 2018 data and the count claims of ABS-CBN and GMA7’s DTT in table form.

Technology Subscriptions / Owners as of 2018 Cable TV (CATV) 2.3 million

Direct-to-Home (DTH) 3.6 million

Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) 6.9 million (TVplus, Affordabox, etc.)

Product Units Sold / Owners

ABS-CBN TVplus (Mahiwagang Black Box) 9 million by the end of 2019

GMA7 Affordabox 600,000 units as of June 2020

Other Digital TV Boxes No data available.

V. Estimates

Given the data above, the total number of students with access to DepEd TV’s programs can be estimated.

Total number of subscriptions in terms of CATV, DTH, and DTT is 12.8 million and the average members per household according to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is 4.8. Assuming that each subscription accounts to a single household then we will have 61.44 million individuals with access to television using Cable TV, DTH, and DTT.

This means that 56.33% of the total population has access to television using CATV, DTH, and DTT.

DepEd announced 24.7 million enrollments as of October 1, 2020. This will give us an estimate that 13.91 million of the total number of students enrolled will have access to DepEd TV.

Note that this is a very conservative (moderate) approach of estimating due to the limited amount of data available as of writing. The percentage of the total number of students enrolled can be higher (or lower) depending on the number of students per household. The number of students with access to DepEd’s broadcast partners that will air on Free TV can also affect the estimate, as the reach of IBC- 13 and PTV-4 has not been included here.

VI. Partner Networks

The following channels will broadcast DepEd TV from 7:00AM–7:00PM (except Sundays) beginning 05 October 2020.

Disclaimer: The published channels may change. Kindly ask cable operators for the updated or assigned TV channels. For digital black boxes, scan/rescan the channels to get Free TV IBC-13. VII. Deped TV Program Grid

VIII. Online Platforms

Aside from the Deped TV, learners, parents and teachers may also access the DepEd TV episodes at the DepEd Commons and at the DepEd YouTube Channel. Currently, almost 9 million unique users are accessing the DepEd Commons (https://commons.deped.gov.ph/). This is expected to increase as schoolyear opens. According to Hootsuite Media, Inc., a social media management platform, 159% of the entire Philippine population of 108.8 million have mobile connections with 86% of these having broadband connection. Internet users are at 73 million or 67% penetration. 67% of the 24.7 million enrolled learners is about 16.6 million learners.

Access to DepEd Commons is free courtesy of DepEd’s partnership with major telecommunications network like Smart, PLDT and Globe. Learners who will be accessing the DepEd Commons will not be charged. They can go to the site even if they have no loads.

The DepEd Commons will be complemented by the newly established DepEd YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/DepEdTV) where all DepEd TV episodes will be uploaded.

DepEd Commons and the DepEd TV YouTube Channel will provide all time access to video episodes.

For information and reference.

ALAIN DEL B. PASCUA Undersecretary

Sources

1. https://www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom/news-releases/2020/6/29/abs-cbn-maintains- broadcast-on-abs-cbn-tvplus-not?lang=en

2. https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/12/07/1974858/more-households-shifting- digital-terrestrial-tv

3. https://www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom/news-releases/2020/6/29/abs-cbn-maintains- broadcast-on-abs-cbn-tvplus-not?lang=en

4. https://business.inquirer.net/302936/gmas-affordabox-selling-like-hot-pandesal

5. https://media-partners-asia.com/AP2020/cms/index.html