TV channel
Solar Entertainment launched Solar TV in the early 2000s, which was later renamed to Solar USA and then to USA. In 2005, USA was split into two channels, Jack TV and Crime/Suspense.
Solar TV was relaunched on November 29, 2009, on Radio Philippines Network (RPN), then owned by the Philippine Government Communications Group (since 2007, Solar TV had already entered into an airtime lease agreement with RPN). Its programming grid primarily included American programs, local sports, and lifestyle content. On October 31, 2010, it changed some of its programming content to English and Tagalog.
Broadcast company
Solar TV ventured as Solar Television Network, Inc. (STVNI) on January 5, 2010, becoming the Solar Entertainment's corporate television arm. The new company launched an all talk and news channel, Talk TV, on March 2, 2011, co-owned by Solar TV and Southern Broadcasting Network. (Talk TV would later change its name to Solar News Channel on October 30, 2012.) At the end of 2011, Solar TV launched its own news division called Solar News. The programs produced by the new division were staffed by former ANC personalities such as Jing Magsaysay, Pia Hontiveros, Nancy Irlanda, Claire Celdran and Mai Rodriguez.[2]
STVNI later represented Solar Entertainment's acquisition to Radio Philippines Network (34% privatized) from the Philippine Government as a part of RPN/IBC privatization in 2011.
In November 2013, President and COO of San Miguel Corporation, Ramon Ang, attempted to acquire the majority stake of STVNI from the Tieng family, who controlled the company. He settled for a minority share of STVNI in September 2014.[3]
In the third quarter of 2014, Solar Entertainment chair Wilson Tieng announced that the ALC Group of Companies, owned by late former Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua, had acquired STVNI and its 34% majority stake on RPN. The sale of STVNI was caused by Solar Entertainment's revenue losses after its investment in RPN.[4][5] After the sale, Wilson Tieng and Robert Rivera resigned from their respective positions as chairman and president of RPN.[6] Solar TV reflected the change in ownership by removing the Solar branding from all Solar News Channel programs; SNC was rebranded as 9TV on August 23, 2014.[7][8]
On October 14, 2014, Solar TV Network was renamed as Nine Media Corporation, following the brand licensing agreement between the latter and the Turner Broadcasting System to use the CNN brand for RPN's free TV assets and 9TV rebranded as CNN Philippines, which was considered as a transitional brand. It was launched on March 16, 2015.
In September 2015, Nine Media President and CEO Reggie Galura stepped down from his position and was replaced by Jorge San Agustin as Officer-in-Charge of the network. On October 9, 2016, CNN Philippines Managing Editor Armie Jarin-Bennett was appointed as president and CEO of Nine Media, replacing San Agustin.
On January 25, 2024, Nine Media and CNN mutually agreed to shut down CNN Philippines due to financial losses, poor ratings, and loss of advertiser support.[9] Four days later, CNN Philippines confirmed that it had ceased live news production and was to be dissolved on January 31, citing financial losses.[10][11] Broadreach Media Holdings Inc. took over the assets and properties of CNN Philippines following its closure. Broadreach later launched digital news media service NewsWatch Plus, which was independently managed by the remaining staff of CNN Philippines.[12]
On January 31, 2024, TV5 Network formed a partnership with Nine Media and RPN to carry selected programming (including Eat Bulaga! and Philippine Basketball Association games) alongside classic RPN shows under the channel's new branding, RPTV, which was launched the following day. Selected programs from One PH and True FM also began airing on RPTV, marking its return to analog free-to-air television after five years since AksyonTV's closure.[13] On February 6, 2024, Nine Media, TV5 and its parent company MediaQuest Holdings formalized their partnership for the new channel.[14]
