When ABS-CBN was shut down in May this year and later denied a franchise renewal by Congress in July, millions of heartbroken Kapamilya viewers had to resort to following their beloved shows and artists online as the network migrated its content to its digital assets. Since then, the ABS-CBN digital platforms on YouTube, Facebook, iWant, and even its Kapamilya Channel on cable TV and its online counterpart have collectively registered close to 30 million views as of mid-September 2020.
Despite the growing online reach of ABS-CBN in the digital space, however, there are still millions of Filipino viewers who are left out due to lack of Internet access. They lament that their TV viewing is never the same without Kapamilya shows airing on primetime.
This is why the announcement of ABS-CBN's blocktime agreement with ZOE Broadcasting Network, Inc. (ZOE TV) came as delightful news to Kapamilya supporters in the country. What used to be known as ZOE Channel 11 has now been rebranded as A2Z and will be offering a new TV viewing experience for Filipinos.
Starting this October, A2Z will be airing well-loved ABS-CBN shows as well as select prorams from Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN Asia), Knowledge Channel, and ZOE's Light TV 33.
On October 10, Kapamilya noontime show It's Showtime will be airing live on A2Z Channel 11, followed by the Sunday musical show ASAP the next day, October 11. Over the weekend, there will be marathon replays of past episodes of Kapamilya teleseryes such as Ang Iyo Ay Akin and Walang Hanggang Paalam, as well as the long-running FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, before the new episodes start airing the following week.
In a press statement, ZOE Broadcasting Network, Inc. President and Chairman Sherwin N. Tugma shared that A2Z's new program line-up was put together with the goal of fulfilling the spiritual, information, and entertainment needs of Filipinos during the pandemic and beyond.
"ZOE Channel 11 gets a new name, a new look, and a new journey serving God and the Filipino people. We strive to provide Filipinos with the best type of programming and bring glory to the Lord above," Tugma said.
ABS-CBN viewers can tune in to their favorite Kapamilya shows on A2Z Channel 11 via free TV / analog broadcast in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. A2Z will also be available on a number of cable and satellite TV channels such as Sky Cable (channel 11), among others.
