ABS-CBN pins rebound on content push

Lopez Family-led media giant ABS-CBN Corp. is banking on continued growth in international content licensing, film, and music revenues to sustain its digital gains and drive its return to black by the end of next year.

“We hope to sustain the gains from our digital businesses by growing our international licensing, film and music revenues,” ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak said at the company’s annual stockholders meeting on Thursday.

Katigbak said the company is optimistic about a turnaround by 2026, supported by a recovering advertising market, lower debt, and expanding digital and international content revenues.

“I believe we are finally well-positioned for a turnaround this 2025. The advertising market is recovering from last year and we will get an extraordinary bump from election-related advertising,” he said. “We hope to achieve profitability some time within the next 18 months.”

ABS-CBN has trimmed its total debt from P21 billion in 2020—when it lost its broadcast franchise—to P16 billion in 2023, largely through the sale of non-core assets. It aims to further reduce debt to around P13 billion this year with the planned sale of its 3-hectare Quezon City property to Ayala Land.

In the first quarter, consolidated revenues rose 4 percent to P4.2 billion, driven by strong performance in content and election-related ad placements.

Content Production and Distribution revenues jumped 21 percent to P3.2 billion, led by high ratings of shows like *Batang Quiapo*, Incognito, It’s Showtime, and TV Patrol.

Advertising revenue increased by P358 million, while digital ad revenues surged 32 percent, lifted by platforms such as iWantTFC and YouTube.