DRPS PHCA Free PH TV Update: Analog Television Switch-off in the Philippines, will soon to begin in Metro Manila “within a year”

​In a recent news article from Bilyonaryo, the Digital Television Switchover in the Philippines will soon to happen “within a year” beginning in Metro Manila. If your TV is still receiving analog television signals, it may soon to go off the air permanently and will only be broadcasting exclusively on digital television using the Japan’s ISDB-T standard that the country uses commercially by the broadcasters.

In a draft proposal involving the planned analog switch off issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (the NTC),  it stated that “setting an Analog Switch-Off (ASO) date would allow the TV networks to plan ahead in their investments, among others, as they shift their operations from analog to full digital broadcast transmission”, while in a survey by Kantar Media Philippines, about 80% of households owning a TV Set within the Mega Manila area are able to receive these signals as what the Department of Information and Communications Technology had commissioned.

Because of the majority of people in Mega Manila are able to receive digital transmissions, all television stations in that area which are still operating on analog television along with the digital one will serve as the initial phase for the national switchover, meaning that only stations in that area will cover the permanent switch off.

UHF stations, however, can have the option to go directly shut the analog down and moving on with the digital ahead of the ASO date, if they’ve complied with the pertinent provisions of the NTC circular and other applicable rules and regulations. The termination of analog broadcasts in Mega Manila will happen within the next twelve (12) months, unless the broadcaster may extend it’s switch off with prior permission to the NTC. 

If you are still receiving analog TV and it is not ready for digital, you may:
– Purchase a new TV Set with ISDB-T tuner
– Buy a DTV Converter Box with ISDB-T tuner
– Subscribe to cable or satellite television service
– Watch your favorite shows online via a streaming service

PHCA CID: PHCA-2025H2-5881