TIMES are forever evolving in traditional news dissemination and public discourse, with the rampant digital media taking over. The sudden closure of CNN Philippines is a prime example of how something is incapable of keeping up with the trend; there is a high chance that it will become obsolete and fall behind the interest of an audience. But isn’t this CNN? A highly acclaimed multinational news network? How could such a big name not thrive in a country that begs for more reliable sources of information? 

GMA and ABS-CBN are the top dogs when it comes to television news. Until late 2019, ABS-CBN was the #1 TV network in the Philippines, producing a variety of shows like FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, The Voice Philippines, Pinoy Big Brother, and Magandang Buhay – but due to its franchise loss in March 2020, many of their telecasts were discontinued and were limited significantly later on. 

Before losing its franchise, ABS-CBN had a 44% audience share in 2019 compared to GMA’s 31%, based on data from Kantar Media. So what does this tell us? CNN Philippines cannot survive mainly relying on informational content because the media depends on advertising for revenue. More television shows equals more commercials. In this case, CNN can only provide content about news, current affairs, and lifestyle, resulting in trouble for advertisers. Despite losing its franchis, ABS-CBN can sustain itself owing to the primetime television series and shows that account to the masses. 

Not only that, competition is already everywhere. With the development of social media giants such as Facebook or YouTube, it isn’t hard to find an audience to watch commercials. CNN quoted a journalism professor who said, “The ad industry doesn’t need the news industry when there are so many other ways to purchase attention and so many better ways to target users.” For instance, According to CNN Philippines’ 2022 financial statement, it was expected to bank on the 2022 election period. However, the unfortunate turn of events came when money from campaign efforts was given instead to online content creators, vloggers, and producers with many followers. 

The Philippine Statistics Authority states that 45% of the Philippine population belongs to the middle class, most of whom prefer and are comfortable speaking Tagalog. The dominance of the English language used in CNN also poses a significant disinterest to Filipinos since a big part of society is more familiar with Tagalog terms. With ABS-CBN and GMA, many of their viewers can only consume their media if they interpret or translate words and ideas from English. 

News alone will never be enough to sustain a media company to meet today’s standards in television. It is disheartening that in the plight of disinformation, the country loses yet another watchdog for truth and justice. CNN Philippines’ shocking end is a bleak recall of a news company forced to shut down and left in the dust in the face of innovation. But despite this unfortunate event, it may bring something new – this could be a starting point for better media companies to rise and consider CNN Philippines’ deficiencies and shortcomings. Until then, the people must give their full support to the remaining reputable news sources available by advocating transparency and press freedom so that they may continue their job to safeguard democracy.