Cord cutting’s impact on cable TV isn’t just felt here in the U.S. In the Philippines, Sky Cable will air its final broadcast on February 26, according to a post on its website.
“In anticipation of and pursuant to the closing conditions of the PLDT-SKY acquisition deal, SKY will now begin its transition into a dedicated internet service provider. With this deal, SKY will discontinue its cable TV operations effective February 27, 2024,” Sky Cable said in the post.
Last week, the Philippine Competition Commission approved the merger between Sky Cable and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, or PLDT for 6.75 billion Philippine pesos. As a result of the deal, Sky Cable will discontinue its cable service and focus on internet access.
Sky Cable is the latest cable TV provider to shutter as the entertainment and cable industry faces huge disruptions. That it’s happening in the Philippines shows this isn’t just a trend found here. Viewers are flocking to streaming services in droves and as a result, cable companies are struggling to recoup losses and remain profitable.
In U.S. alone, Mid-Rivers Communications, Cable One — also known as Sparklight, Bailey Cable TV, DUO Broadband, Great Plains Communications,and KPU have announced plans to close.
Sky Cable said its fiber-only subscribers won’t incur any changes to their subscription, and bundle customer plans will be converted to a standalone Sky Fiber plan.
Sky is offering cable-only and bundle customers a number of its cable channels for no extra cost through February 26. Cable-only customers will stop being charged for service on January 26 and receive their last bill on March 1. The company also included a list of other replacement cable providers.
Sky Cable introduced cable TV to the Philippines in 1990, according to the provider. The company continued to grow its offerings over its decades of operation, including bringing a number of plans and devices that catered to providing quality internet to Filipinos amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Thank you for your years of support and for making Sky Cable a part of your home,” the company said.
The news was reported earlier by The Philippine Star.
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