ABS-CBN Regional Programming

Three years ago, I wrote a blog entry about non-Tagalog TV and how I was all excited about it.

Since then, I've encountered clips on YouTube of news programs (TV Patrol) in other Philippine languages. I was going to post a link to the Kapampangan one posted by Sisigman, but ABS-CBNi forced YouTube to remove it. I've also been able to view TV Patrol Zamboanga in Chavacano.

In any case, ABS-CBN has released regional programming on its online service, ABS-CBNnow! And for a limited time, it's free.

Right now, the programming is limited to Cebuano (TV Patrol Cebu, Davao & Cagayan de Oro), Ilokano (TV Patrol Laoag), and Hiligaynon (TV Patrol Iloilo & Negros Oriental) programming - the next three most-spoken languages after Tagalog.

As for non-news programming, there's a handful of variety shows catering to Cebuano and Hiligaynon audiences.

You may access these regional programs at http://now.abs-cbn.com//index-tvpreg.aspx

Below is a graphic from the page. The people are saying things in Hiligaynon, Cebuano, and Bikol. So far, there's no Bikol, Waray-Waray, and Kapampangan programming on that page yet. I'm hoping they add them soon. And then maybe I'll consider paying a monthly fee for this service once the free trial runs out.