DXKC-DTV

DXKC-DTV is a television station serving Metro Davao in the Philippines. It operates on UHF channel 31 and functions as the Mindanao flagship of Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media, Inc., commonly associated with the BEAM TV network. The station's transmission facilities are located along Broadcast Avenue in Shrine Hills, Barangay Matina Crossing, Davao City. Its primary coverage includes Davao City, Davao del Sur, and Davao del Norte, with service extending into portions of Davao de Oro. The station began broadcasting in 1995 under the Cinema Television identity, commonly referred to as CTV-31. Its original concept was centered on movie-oriented television, making it an early Philippine UHF service built around a cinema and film-entertainment positioning. In 1997, the station obtained broadcast rights connected with E!, the American cable network known for fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment programming. The Philippine service was later associated with the E! Philippines identity. In 2003, Radio Mindanao Network decided to discontinue its television-network operations. The decision was attributed to financial constraints and weak audience ratings, bringing the station's earlier operating period to an end. The Davao frequency later became part of the BEAM network's expansion. On July 3, 2011, the Davao UHF service and other former RMN television stations returned to the air in test-broadcast form after Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media was acquired from RMN by Bethlehem Holdings, Inc. Bethlehem Holdings was funded by the Globe Telecom Group Retirement Fund. Following the ownership transition, BEAM entered into an affiliation arrangement with Solar Entertainment Corporation. Solar programming was carried on BEAM stations, although the free-to-air schedule was subsequently limited. In June 2013, Solar reduced its free-television broadcast schedule on BEAM to 18 hours per day in compliance with guidelines of the Philippine National Telecommunications Commission. Its cable distribution continued on a 24-hour basis. BEAM and Solar ended their partnership on September 1, 2014. The separation formed part of BEAM's preparation for digital terrestrial television using the ISDB-T standard. DXKC-DTV subsequently became part of BEAM's broader transition away from analog transmission. The provincial BEAM stations, including the Davao service, ended analog broadcasting on March 29, 2022. Digital service began the following day, although the Davao operation was described as undergoing maintenance and migration while its digital transmission arrangements were being adjusted. BEAM later announced the launch of PIE, a new entertainment channel developed through a co-ownership arrangement involving ABS-CBN Corporation, Kroma Entertainment, and 917Ventures. The launch was scheduled for May 23, 2022. DXKC-DTV's digital multiplex has been associated with BEAM's channel operations, allowing the station to carry digital subchannels rather than functioning solely as a conventional analog outlet. Today, DXKC-DTV is best understood as a regional digital television outlet within the BEAM TV network. Its significance lies in its role as BEAM's Davao and Mindanao presence, its history of changing entertainment affiliations, and its participation in the Philippines' transition from analog UHF broadcasting to digital terrestrial television.

DXKC-DTV began operations in 1995 as Cinema Television, also known as CTV-31. The station was conceived as a movie-oriented UHF broadcaster and was among the early Philippine television outlets to use a cinema-focused identity. In 1997, it obtained rights connected with E!, the United States cable network specializing in fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment programming. The Philippine service became associated with the E! Philippines identity. In 2003, Radio Mindanao Network ended its television-network operations, citing financial difficulties and poor ratings. This discontinued the station's earlier operating phase. The Davao frequency later entered the BEAM network structure after Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media, Inc. was acquired from RMN by Bethlehem Holdings, Inc., a company funded by the Globe Telecom Group Retirement Fund. On July 3, 2011, the former RMN television frequencies, including the Davao outlet, returned in test-broadcast form under the new ownership structure. BEAM subsequently formed an affiliation partnership with Solar Entertainment Corporation. Solar content became part of the BEAM programming arrangement, but the free-to-air schedule was restricted to 18 hours per day in June 2013 in accordance with National Telecommunications Commission guidelines. Solar continued 24-hour distribution through cable systems. The BEAM-Solar arrangement ended on September 1, 2014. BEAM's next strategic emphasis was digital terrestrial television based on the ISDB-T standard. This eventually led to the withdrawal of analog transmission by BEAM's provincial outlets. DXKC-DTV ceased analog broadcasting on March 29, 2022. Digital broadcasting resumed or began on March 30, although the Davao operation was still described as undergoing maintenance and technical migration, including changes involving its digital transmission channel. BEAM also announced PIE, a new entertainment service developed with ABS-CBN Corporation, Kroma Entertainment, and 917Ventures. The service was scheduled to launch on May 23, 2022. DXKC-DTV therefore represents both a regional television service and a transmission outlet within BEAM's evolving digital multiplex. Its history reflects the changing Philippine television market: from movie-based UHF programming, through network affiliation and ownership changes, to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

• 2022

  Analog transmission ends

  [1]DXKC-DTVen.wikipedia.org

  The Davao provincial BEAM station ceases analog transmission and moves to digital broadcasting.

• 2022

  PIE is announced

  [1]DXKC-DTVen.wikipedia.org

  BEAM announces the planned launch of PIE, an entertainment channel associated with ABS-CBN Corporation, Kroma Entertainment, and 917Ventures.

• 2014

  Solar affiliation ends

  [1]DXKC-DTVen.wikipedia.org

  BEAM ends its partnership with Solar while preparing for ISDB-T digital television.

• 2013

  Free-to-air schedule is reduced

  [1]DXKC-DTVen.wikipedia.org

  Solar limits its BEAM free-television broadcast schedule to 18 hours daily under National Telecommunications Commission guidelines.

• 2011

  Test broadcasting resumes under BEAM

  [1]DXKC-DTVen.wikipedia.org

  The Davao UHF service returns to the air in test-broadcast form after the former RMN television assets enter BEAM's ownership structure.

• 2003

  RMN ends its television operations

  [1]DXKC-DTVen.wikipedia.org

  Radio Mindanao Network discontinues its television-network operations, citing financial constraints and weak ratings.

• 1997

  E! programming rights are obtained

  [1]DXKC-DTVen.wikipedia.org

  The station obtains broadcast rights connected with E!, later associated with E! Philippines.

• 1995

  Station launches as Cinema Television

  [1]DXKC-DTVen.wikipedia.org

  The Davao UHF station begins broadcasting under the Cinema Television or CTV-31 identity.

A regional BEAM TV broadcast station positioned as the network's Mindanao flagship, delivering entertainment-oriented terrestrial television to Davao and nearby provinces.

• Analog terrestrial television · 1995

  DXKC-DTV analog television service

  The station's original terrestrial service transmitted entertainment programming over UHF channel 31 in the Davao market. It began as Cinema Television and later carried programming associated with E! and BEAM's changing network arrangements. Analog transmission ended in March 2022 as BEAM migrated its provincial operations to digital broadcasting.

• Digital terrestrial television · 2022

  DXKC-DTV digital television service

  The current digital service operates as part of BEAM TV's digital terrestrial television network in the Davao area. The station is associated with UHF channel 31 and a multiplexed digital operation serving Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, and parts of Davao de Oro.

• 2022

  Migration from analog to digital broadcastingGeneration change

  Background

  BEAM's provincial stations were being moved from analog UHF broadcasting to digital terrestrial television.

  Action taken

  DXKC-DTV ended analog transmission on March 29 and began digital broadcasting arrangements the following day, with the operation still undergoing maintenance and technical migration.

  Aftermath

  The station became part of BEAM's permanently digital provincial broadcast network.

  Source

• 2014

  End of Solar affiliation and digital migration preparationStrategy

  Background

  BEAM's partnership with Solar Entertainment Corporation ended as the network prepared to develop ISDB-T digital television operations.

  Action taken

  BEAM discontinued the Solar affiliation across Channel 31 and its provincial affiliates and redirected its strategic focus toward digital terrestrial broadcasting.

  Aftermath

  The change preceded the eventual shutdown of analog transmission at the Davao station and its transition into BEAM's digital broadcast network.

  Source

1. 1DXKC-DTVen.wikipedia.org
2. 2BEAM TV official websitebeam.com.ph