A BILL renewing the broadcast franchise of FBS Radio Network, Inc. for another 25 years has been filed at the House of Representatives.
House Bill 8617, if enacted, will extend the Network’s franchise, granted in 1995 and set to expire in 2020.
“The continued operation of FBS Radio promotes healthy competition amongst the participants in the industry,” Sponsor Rep. Cecilia Leonila V. Chavez of the Butil partylist said in the explanatory note.
The FBS Radio Network carries the branding 94.7 Mellow, formerly 94.7 Mellow Touch, and targets urban professionals.
It covers Metro Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Rizal Laguna, and Batangas. Its broadcast also reaches Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan and Nueva Ecija.
The measure will allow FBS Radio to continue “to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in the Philippines.”
The bill requires FBS Radio to provide adequate public service time, and sets a maximum of 10% paid commercial time. It is banned from broadcasting obscenity and indecent language, among others.
The network cannot transfer or sell its franchise to other entities without the approval of Congress.
FBS Radio is required to submit an annual report to Congress as part of the terms of the franchise. — Charmaine A. Tadalan
