DWNB-TV

DWNB-TV is a television station serving Metro Manila, Philippines, on UHF channel 41. The station is owned by Nation Broadcasting Corporation and is operated by TV5 Network, Inc. through an airtime lease arrangement. It is associated with the TV5 broadcasting group and currently functions as the terrestrial flagship of the One Sports network. The station's history reflects several changes in ownership arrangements, programming strategy, and network identity. Its channel 41 facility was initially connected with plans by NBC to use a UHF frequency for acquired programming and multimedia convergence. In the early 2000s, NBC entered into a joint venture with MTV Networks Asia Pacific, enabling the launch of MTV Philippines as a terrestrial music channel. MTV Philippines operated from a studio complex in The Fort, now Bonifacio Global City, and served Metro Manila and surrounding areas. The partnership ended after several years, and MTV Philippines moved to a cable-and-satellite model in 2007, leaving channel 41 inactive for a period. Channel 41 returned to the air in 2010 after TV5's corporate predecessor took over the blocktime arrangement. The call sign became DWNB-TV, and the station temporarily carried programming associated with 92.3 News FM while preparations were made for a new free-to-air news and public-information service. On February 21, 2011, the channel launched AksyonTV, a 24-hour news, current-affairs, information, and sports network named after TV5's Aksyon news brand. The service also reached audiences through other terrestrial frequencies in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, and Iloilo, as well as through cable distribution. AksyonTV later reduced its broadcast hours in the context of regulatory requirements for affiliated free-to-air stations and management cost controls. TV5 announced that the channel would be repositioned as 5 Plus, which launched on January 13, 2019. The new identity emphasized sports, particularly less conventional or emerging sports, and supplemented programming associated with ESPN5. On March 8, 2020, 5 Plus was renamed One Sports. The change aligned channel 41 with the broader One Sports portfolio, while its pay-television counterpart adopted the One Sports+ identity. DWNB-TV's facilities are connected with TV5's broadcast infrastructure. The station shares studios at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong, while an alternate studio and digital transmitter are located at the TV5 Complex on Quirino Highway in Novaliches, Quezon City. Its analog and digital transmission facilities are located at Emerald Hills along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo, Rizal. The station's feed is also distributed through digital television arrangements using TV5-related transmission facilities and selected digital subchannels. On January 22, 2024, the station's feed and other TV5 digital outputs adopted a 16:9 widescreen presentation format. As a broadcast station rather than a standalone consumer product brand, DWNB-TV's public identity has principally been expressed through the networks and services carried on its frequency: MTV Philippines, AksyonTV, 5 Plus, and One Sports. Its current positioning is centered on free-to-air sports programming for Metro Manila, supported by TV5's wider production, distribution, and digital-transmission infrastructure.

DWNB-TV is the call sign of a UHF television station in Metro Manila, Philippines, operating on channel 41. The station is owned by Nation Broadcasting Corporation, while TV5 Network, Inc. operates it through an airtime lease. Its present role is as the terrestrial flagship of One Sports, although the frequency has carried several different network identities over time. The channel's early development was connected to NBC's plans to use a UHF allocation for acquired programming and broader multimedia convergence. In the early 2000s, NBC entered a joint venture with MTV Networks Asia Pacific to establish MTV Philippines as a terrestrial music service. The channel operated from a studio complex in The Fort, now Bonifacio Global City, and broadcast to Metro Manila and nearby areas. After the partnership ended, MTV Philippines was relaunched as a cable and satellite channel in 2007, and UHF channel 41 became inactive for several years. The frequency returned to the air in October 2010 after TV5's corporate predecessor took over its blocktime operation. The call letters were changed to DWNB-TV. The station initially carried a temporary feed associated with 92.3 News FM while its next major service was prepared. On February 21, 2011, it launched AksyonTV, a news, current-affairs, information, and sports network named after TV5's Aksyon news program. AksyonTV operated on a largely continuous schedule and was also distributed through additional terrestrial frequencies in several Philippine cities and through cable providers. In December 2013, AksyonTV reduced its operating hours. The change was associated with National Telecommunications Commission rules affecting affiliated free-to-air stations, as well as management cost-control measures. In 2018, TV5 announced that the channel would be repositioned as 5 Plus. The new service launched on January 13, 2019, and concentrated on sports programming, including less conventional sports and additional content connected with ESPN5. The repositioning also separated some radio simulcast programming into the One PH service on Cignal. On March 8, 2020, 5 Plus was renamed One Sports. The terrestrial channel thereby became part of a wider sports brand, while the related pay-television service was renamed One Sports+. The One Sports identity remains the principal public-facing brand associated with DWNB-TV. DWNB-TV shares studio facilities with TV5 at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong. It also has an alternate studio and digital transmitter at the TV5 Complex on Quirino Highway in Novaliches, Quezon City. Analog and digital transmission facilities are located at Emerald Hills on Sumulong Highway in Antipolo, Rizal. The station's feed is carried through TV5-related digital television infrastructure, including digital subchannel arrangements. In January 2024, the feed and other TV5 digital outputs adopted a 16:9 widescreen format. The station's development illustrates the changing economics and technology of Philippine free-to-air television. Its frequency has moved from music television to news and public affairs and then to sports, with each transition reflecting a different distribution strategy and audience target. Because DWNB-TV is primarily a transmission and broadcast-station entity, its brand history is best understood through the services that have occupied channel 41 rather than through independently marketed consumer products.

• 2024

  Digital output adopts 16:9 widescreen

  [1]DWNB-TVen.wikipedia.org

  DWNB-TV's digital feed and other TV5 digital outputs switched to widescreen presentation.

• 2020

  One Sports launches on channel 41

  [1]DWNB-TVen.wikipedia.org

  5 Plus adopted the One Sports identity as the terrestrial sports service of the TV5 group.

• 2019

  5 Plus launches

  [1]DWNB-TVen.wikipedia.org

  AksyonTV was repositioned as 5 Plus, emphasizing sports and programming aimed at younger viewers.

• 2013

  AksyonTV reduces operating hours

  [1]DWNB-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The channel moved away from a 24-hour schedule in connection with regulatory requirements and cost-control measures.

• 2011

  AksyonTV launches

  [1]DWNB-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The station launched AksyonTV, a news, current-affairs, information, and sports service.

• 2010

  DWNB-TV returns to the air

  [1]DWNB-TVen.wikipedia.org

  UHF channel 41 resumed broadcasting under the DWNB-TV call sign as TV5's corporate predecessor took over its blocktime operation.

• 2007

  MTV Philippines moves to cable and satellite distribution

  [1]DWNB-TVen.wikipedia.org

  After the NBC partnership ended, MTV Philippines was relaunched as a cable and satellite channel, leaving channel 41 inactive.

• 2001

  MTV Philippines begins terrestrial broadcasting

  [1]DWNB-TVen.wikipedia.org

  NBC and MTV Networks Asia Pacific used UHF channel 41 for the terrestrial launch of MTV Philippines in Metro Manila.

A Metro Manila free-to-air television station positioned as the terrestrial flagship of One Sports, with a programming history spanning music television, news and public affairs, and sports-oriented broadcasting.

• Terrestrial sports television network · 2020

  One Sports

  One Sports is the current terrestrial network identity associated with DWNB-TV. It focuses on sports programming and forms part of the wider TV5 sports portfolio. The channel replaced 5 Plus in 2020 and is designed for free-to-air distribution in Metro Manila through channel 41, alongside broader distribution arrangements used by the TV5 group.

• Sports television network · 2019

  5 Plus

  5 Plus was the channel identity used on DWNB-TV from January 2019 until March 2020. It repositioned the former AksyonTV frequency around sports, including less conventional sports and programming linked to ESPN5, with an intended emphasis on younger and more adventurous viewers.

• News and information television network · 2011

  AksyonTV

  AksyonTV operated on channel 41 from 2011 to 2019 as a news, current-affairs, information, public-service, and sports channel. It was named after TV5's Aksyon news brand and was distributed beyond Metro Manila through selected terrestrial frequencies and cable systems.

• Music television network · 2001

  MTV Philippines

  MTV Philippines was the original major network identity carried by the channel 41 facility in the early 2000s. It provided terrestrial music television to Metro Manila under a joint venture involving NBC and MTV Networks Asia Pacific before the service shifted to cable and satellite distribution.

• 2020

  Conversion of 5 Plus into One SportsGeneration change

  Background

  The TV5 group consolidated its sports properties under the One Sports naming system.

  Action taken

  5 Plus was renamed One Sports on March 8, 2020, while the related pay-television counterpart became One Sports+.

  Aftermath

  DWNB-TV became the terrestrial flagship associated with the One Sports network.

  Source

• 2019

  Repositioning as 5 PlusStrategy

  Background

  TV5 sought to develop a younger sports audience and expand the role of sports content associated with ESPN5.

  Action taken

  AksyonTV was relaunched as 5 Plus on January 13, 2019, with a programming strategy centered on sports.

  Aftermath

  The identity lasted until March 2020, when the station became One Sports.

  Source

• 2013

  Reduction of AksyonTV operating hoursStrategy

  Background

  The station faced regulatory requirements affecting affiliated free-to-air broadcasters and management pressure to control operating costs.

  Action taken

  AksyonTV reduced its schedule from 24-hour operation to more limited daily hours.

  Aftermath

  The change aligned the station's schedule with available programming and operating resources.

  Source

• 2011

  Launch of AksyonTVProduct launch

  Background

  After channel 41 returned to the air in 2010, the TV5 group sought to establish a free-to-air news, information, and public-service network linked to its Aksyon news brand.

  Action taken

  DWNB-TV launched AksyonTV on February 21, 2011, with news, current affairs, information, and sports programming.

  Aftermath

  The service became the principal identity of channel 41 until its sports-oriented repositioning as 5 Plus in 2019.

  Source

1. 1DWNB-TVen.wikipedia.org