Cignal

Philippine satellite television and IPTV provider

Cignal
Logo used since 2013
TypeDirect-broadcast satellite television
Country
Philippines
AvailabilityNationwide
HeadquartersTV5 Media Center, Reliance cor. Sheridan Sts., Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines
OwnerMediaQuest Holdings, Inc. (subsidiary of the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund)
ParentCignal TV, Inc.
Launch date
February 1, 2009 (2009-02-01)
Picture format
DVB-S2 MPEG-4
Official website
cignal.tv

Cignal (pronounced as signal) is a Philippine satellite television and IPTV provider, owned by Cignal TV Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the MediaQuest Holdings Inc. under the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund.[1]

Cignal's prepaid electronic loading system is powered by Smart Communications Inc.[2] Cignal uses VideoGuard encryption system to protect its content from signal piracy. It uses the SES-7 satellite to provide optimal coverage directly to the target markets.[3]

History

Cignal Digital TV 2009 to 2013 logo

Prior to the launch, the PLDT group had already intended to establish its own satellite television service after its media arm MediaQuest Holdings sold its stake in Beyond Cable Holdings to the Lopez Group, and a failed attempt on the acquisition of Philippine Multimedia Systems, Inc. (PMSI, owner of Dream Satellite TV) from businessman and then-PLDT chairman Antonio "Tonyboy" O. Cojuangco.[4][5]

Cignal's satellite dish
One of Cignal's digital satellite receivers

Using the satellite broadcasting franchise of Mediascape (formerly GV Broadcasting System), the new service was named Cignal and formally began its operations on February 1, 2009. PLDT spent PH₱1 billion for the rollout of the service.[6][7][8]

During its first years, Cignal transmitted its broadcast with over 20 SD channels and HD channels via NSS-11 satellite transponder service.[9]

In 2015, Cignal had reached 1 million subscribers.[10]

Satellite transponder transmission

From 2009, Cignal broadcasts on NSS-11 satellite transponder service. But since 2012, Cignal utilizes additional broadcast on the SES-7 transponder service.[11]

Satellite Band Position Frequency Polarity SR FEC Encryption System Status Coverage
SES-7 Ku Band 108.2° East 11481, 11656 and 11685 MHz Horizontal (H) 18750 3/4 Conax / VideoGuard DVB-S2 MPEG-4 Commercial broadcast Philippines
11510, 11539, 11568 and 11627 MHz 20000
11598 MHz 2/3

Competition

At present, Cignal competes in the DTH service against Global Satellite Technology Services' G Sat, formerly Sky Cable Corporation's Sky Direct was their competitor but was decommissioned on June 30, 2020, via alias cease-and-desist order.

Sports teams

  • Cignal HD Spikers (women's volleyball team)
  • Cignal HD Spikers (men's volleyball team)
  • Cignal-Ateneo (formerly Cignal HD Hawkeyes) (PBA D-League)
  • Cignal Ultra (Esports team)

See also

References

  1. ^ Cignal ownership: http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5503:mediaquest-moves-direct-satellite-service-offer-deadline&catid=24:companies&Itemid=59
  2. ^ "Cignal uses Smart's loading technology". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved February 24, 2009.[dead link]
  3. ^ Cignal uses NSS-11 satellite, not Agila 2: http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5503:mediaquest-moves-direct-satellite-service-offer-deadline&catid=24:companies&Itemid=59
  4. ^ "PLDT OFFERS TO SELL REMAINING SKY CABLE STAKE TO LOPEZ GROUP". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  5. ^ "PLDT sets stage for entry into satellite TV". The Philippine Star. June 22, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  6. ^ "PLDT to launch satellite TV service". The Philippine Star. September 14, 2008.
  7. ^ "PLDT unit offers direct-to-home satellite TV". The Philippine Star. May 8, 2009.
  8. ^ "PLDT unit to spend P1-B for satellite TV". ABS-CBN News. July 16, 2009.
  9. ^ "MediaScape Launches Cignal HD on SES WORLD SKIES' NSS-11 Satellite". Business Wire. November 3, 2009.
  10. ^ "Cignal TV celebrates 1 million subscriber base with thanksgiving party". InterAksyon.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  11. ^ "MediaScape adds satellite capacity for Cignal TV in the Philippines". Digital TV News. June 20, 2012.
  • v
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Key figures
Founder
Executive Management
  • Manuel V. Pangilinan (Chairman)
  • Guido R. Zaballero (President and CEO)
  • Dino M. Laurena (COO, Media5)
  • Pierre Buhay (CFO)
Broadcast
Radio
Free TV channels
Cable channels
Television
HD Television
Global
Television
Direct TV satellite and Broadcast applications
Other assets
Divisions
Subsidiaries and affiliates
Non-profit organization
Productions
Online, digital and interactive
Former assets
See also
1Joint venture with Viva Entertainment
2Partnership agreement with ESPN Inc.
3Partnership with Bloomberg L.P.
4Joint venture with NBA TV
5Joint venture with APT Entertainment
6Joint venture with UAAP
  • v
  • t
  • e
Chairman
Manuel V. Pangilinan
President and CEO
Alfredo S. Panlilio
Mobility
Fixed-line
Internet
Technology
Outsourcing
  • SPi Global (19.7%)
Media
  • v
  • t
  • e
Chairman
Manuel V. Pangilinan
President and CEO
Jane J. Basas
Key executives
  • Jane J. Basas (President and CEO, Cignal TV)
  • Guido R. Zaballero (President and CEO, TV5 Network)
  • Raul Dela Cruz (General Manager, Nation Broadcasting Corporation)
  • Miguel G. Belmonte (President and CEO, Philstar Media Group/Hastings Holdings)
Broadcast media
Radio
Free-to-air television
(TV5 / NBC)
Freemium / pay television
(Cignal TV)
Overseas television
(Pilipinas Global Network)
Direct broadcast satellite /
digital TV providers
Philstar Media Group
Print newspaper
Magazine
  • People Asia
  • Starweek
Digital media
  • G/ST
  • Philstar Digital
  • LatestChika
  • Philippine Star Life
  • Wheels.ph
Production companies
Miscellaneous assets
  • CineFilipino
  • MQuest Ventures
  • MQ Live
Corporate social responsibility
See also
1Joint venture with Viva Entertainment
2Partnership agreement with ESPN Inc.
3Joint venture with NBA TV
4 Joint venture with APT Entertainment
5Joint venture with the UAAP
Defunct/former
  • Annual revenue: PHP 169.19 billion (FY 2019) [1]
  • Net income: PHP 22.79 billion (FY 2019) [2]
  • Employees: 18,784 (2019)
  • Stock symbol: (PSE: TEL)


  • v
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  • e
  • Non-profit organizations: Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Association of the Philippines (FICTAP)
  • Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA)
Free-to-air
Digital terrestrial
Box
Dongle
Pay/Subscription
Cable
Metro
Provincial
Satellite
Internet/Streaming
IPTV
Streaming media
(VOD)
Domestic
International
Defunct/Inactive
  • v
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Cable, satellite, and other specialty television providers in Africa, Asia and Oceania
Cable
Satellite
IPTV
Terrestrial
Defunct /
inactive
  • Middle East, Africa, Asia and Oceania
  • Europe
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • United States
  • Latin America and the Caribbean


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