DXAB-TV

DXAB-TV was a television station serving Metro Davao, Philippines. It operated as the regional relay station of DWAC-TV, a station associated with AMCARA Broadcasting Network, and transmitted programming for the ABS-CBN regional television network in the Davao area. The station's studio and transmission facilities were located at the ABS-CBN Broadcast Complex on Broadcast Avenue in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City. Rather than functioning primarily as an independently programmed local broadcaster, DXAB-TV formed part of a wider relay and regional-distribution structure. Its role was to deliver network television programming to viewers in and around Davao, using local broadcast infrastructure connected with the ABS-CBN complex. The station is therefore best understood as a geographically focused broadcast outlet rather than as a standalone national media company or a consumer product brand. DXAB-TV's operation ended during the 2020 shutdown of ABS-CBN's Philippine free-to-air television network. On May 5, 2020, its S+A Davao service went off the air after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease-and-desist order affecting ABS-CBN stations, including the Davao outlet. The order followed the expiration of ABS-CBN's legislative franchise on May 4, 2020. The same regulatory action also affected other ABS-CBN services, including MOR radio stations. Following the loss of terrestrial transmission authority, DXAB-TV ceased operating as an active free-to-air television station. Available reference material does not establish a separate relaunch, a new owner, or a subsequent operating license. Its historical significance lies in its role within ABS-CBN's regional broadcast footprint and in the wider interruption of the network's terrestrial services in 2020.

DXAB-TV was established as a broadcast outlet for Metro Davao and operated within the regional distribution structure associated with ABS-CBN television. The station's facilities were based at the ABS-CBN Broadcast Complex in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City. Its local infrastructure included a studio and transmitter, enabling network programming to reach viewers in the Davao market. The station was described as the regional relay station of DWAC-TV, which was a fully owned subsidiary of AMCARA Broadcasting Network. In practical terms, DXAB-TV's function was to relay television programming rather than to operate as a fully autonomous national network. Its service formed part of the broader ABS-CBN regional television presence, with the Davao outlet carrying programming identified with the S+A service. DXAB-TV's broadcasting history ended amid the regulatory crisis surrounding ABS-CBN's expired legislative franchise in 2020. On May 4, the franchise expired, and on May 5 the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease-and-desist order affecting ABS-CBN television services. S+A Davao consequently went off the air, along with other ABS-CBN broadcast operations and the MOR radio network. The interruption ended DXAB-TV's terrestrial operation. The available reference material does not document a later restoration, rebranding, transfer of ownership, or replacement license, so the station is treated as defunct.

• 2020

  Terrestrial service ends

  [1]DXAB-TVen.wikipedia.org

  S+A Davao went off the air on May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease-and-desist order following the expiration of ABS-CBN's legislative franchise.

A regional relay outlet serving Metro Davao as part of a broader Philippine television network.

• Television service

  S+A Davao

  The Davao-area television service carried by DXAB-TV as part of the wider ABS-CBN regional broadcast structure. It provided terrestrial relay distribution of network programming to viewers in Metro Davao until the station went off the air in May 2020 following regulatory action against ABS-CBN's broadcast operations.

• 2020

  Cessation of terrestrial broadcastingOther

  Background

  The National Telecommunications Commission acted after ABS-CBN's legislative franchise expired on May 4, 2020.

  Action taken

  DXAB-TV's S+A Davao service stopped broadcasting on May 5, 2020, in compliance with the cease-and-desist order affecting ABS-CBN stations.

  Aftermath

  The station ceased operating as a free-to-air television outlet, and no subsequent relaunch is documented in the available reference material.

  Source

1. 1DXAB-TVen.wikipedia.org