| dbo:abstract
|
- Liga (transl. League) was a Philippine pay television channel owned by Creative Programs, Inc. and ABS-CBN Sports (content provider). It was the sister channel of ABS-CBN Sports and Action (S+A) and was launched on January 15, 2018 as the permanent replacement of three CPI-owned channels, ABS-CBN Regional Channel, Tag TV, and Hero TV (through its channel space). Liga was the official broadcast partner of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers in Russia, along with S+A. Aside from FIFA World Cup, the channel also broadcast local and international sports coverage including the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), the Philippine NCAA, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), Premier Volleyball League (PVL), Philippine Azkals matches, Pinoy Pride boxing promotions, ONE Championship fights, and classic basketball and volleyball games from the UAAP. The channel became the interim replacement of ABS-CBN Sports and Action (S+A) which ceased free-to-air broadcast operations as ordered by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on May 5, 2020, due to the lapsing of ABS-CBN's legislative broadcast franchise. After almost 2 years of broadcast, Liga ceased operations on pay TV effective October 30, 2020 due to the ensuing programming redundancy, lack of advertising support, and cost-cutting measures, as well as the implementation of a retrenchment program covering its business company from August 7, following the House of Representatives' 70-11 vote denying the company a fresh congressional franchise on July 10 and the dissolution of ABS-CBN Sports effective August 31. The last program to air on this channel was a replay of UAAP Season 78 men's basketball tournaments finals. After airing a tribute video showing the past sports coverage, local programs and events produced or sponsored by ABS-CBN Sports. Liga channel signed off for the last time on October 29, 2020, ending with Lupang Hinirang, an ABS-CBN's official Philippine National Anthem 2011 video before signing off at 12 midnight on October 30, 2020. The channel's cable space was later taken over by Cine Mo!, a complementary movie channel consisting of local films and foreign movies, seen on SkyCable and selected provincial cable providers. (en)
|
