With a presence in the housing, retail, and public utilities, the Villar Group has now officially entered the broadcasting industry — a move that is seen to further beef up industry competition.

ALLTV, the premiere television channel of the Advanced Media Broadcasting System or AMBS, announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with CNN Philippines to deliver reliable news to its viewers.

CNN Philippines' flagship news program, "News Night," anchored by CNN Chief Anchor/Correspondent Pia Hontiveros, will be aired simultaneously on ALLTV from Monday to Friday at 6 pm, starting next week, 13 September.

AMBS president Maribeth Tolentino and chief financial officer Maryknoll Zamora confirmed that the company has forged the content rights agreement with CNN Philippines president Benjamin Ramos for the airing of CNN Philippines on ALLTV.

Describing the partnership as a game-changer, Ramos said the agreement with ALLTV will further ramp up the nationwide reach of CNN Philippines.

"This is the first of its kind, it is a game-changer. We have an opportunity to reach more people in many parts of the country, and deliver news that's accurate, fair, and balanced," he added.

CNN Philippines is a commercial, broadcast, cable, and satellite TV network, owned and operated by Nine Media Corporation, together with RPN, under license from Warner Bros. Discovery.

News-oriented channel

Meanwhile, Tolentino said ALLTV is banking on the years-long experience of CNN Philippines in delivering credible news to the public.

"Through CNN Philippines, we can provide our viewers with in-depth local news coverage, and a global perspective on key issues, and stories from around the world," she said.

"CNN Philippines Hour on ALLTV" will be a 60-minute news program that showcases the day's top stories with live reports, in-depth analysis, and live interviews with prominent personalities. The segment will also be available on 12 Radio Philippines Network stations in key cities nationwide.

Last 1 September, multimedia personality Toni Gonzaga and her husband, director Paul Soriano signed a contract with AMBS.

ALLTV is under Prime Assets Ventures, Inc. led by businessman Manuel Paolo Villar. It is available on channel 2 on free-to-air TV and Planet Cable; Channel 16 on digital, Channel 35 on Cignal TV and Sky Cable; as well as local cable stations around the country.