Corporate History - ABS-CBN Investor Relations

ABS-CBN remains the undisputed most-watched network. "Esperanza" posts a rating of 58%, the highest in recorded history
Local programming is successfully expanded from 5:30 in the morning to 1:30 AM the following day. ABS-CBN reached 93% of TV households via a network of 35 TV stations and affiliates. In July, TFC is launched in Australia as a premium channel together with Cinema One.
ABS-CBN reaches 97% of the country’s TV households and 88% of the country’s land area In February, ABS-CBN TFCDirect! makes the switch from analog to digital transmission for superior broadcast quality.
In November, ABS-CBN Telecom in partnership with Bayantel, announces its home country direct service called 1237-00 BayanKollect sa America. In December, TFC is launched in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Arab Radio and Television.


	In February, TFC is launched in Papua New Guinea. In May, ABS-CBN creates the Sarimanok News Network (SNN), later renamed as the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) which focuses on news and programming from regional channels After Star Cinema, other ventures follow suit: cable news, UHF television, music recording, and product licensing and merchandising.
	In October, ABS-CBN puts up Studio 23, its UHF channel which specializes in English, AB-oriented programming, which is operated by ABS-CBN subsidiary, AMCARA Broadcasting Network. ABS-CBN’s foray into other entertainment-related businesses continues with Star Recording, Inc. In December, ABS-CBN Telecom launches Sarimanok One, the only rechargeable pre-paid phonecard with a rewards program for Filipinos in North America.

	In March, ABS-CBN Telecom is incorporated in ABS-CBN’s office in North America. TFC is offered as a direct to home satellite service, making the channel available to the entire continental US as TFCDirect! Moreover, TFC is launched in Guam.

	In April, The Filipino Channel is launched with 8 hours of programming on weekdays and 12 hours on weekends to cabled homes in California, USA. TFC picks up 1,500 subscribers in 3 months of operations. It signs a 15-year contract with the TCI Cablevision and Western Cable Systems. In September, TFC transforms into a 24-hour service airing same-day programming of news & entertainment. In November, More Filipino homes enjoy TFC as cable operators in Hawaii firm up commitment to carry the channel. In December, Oceanic Cable, a Time-Warner company, starts carriage of TFC.