I have written a few times in the past about TV here in the Philippines, and that the channel lineup is very limited here. Fortunately, more choice is coming soon, depending on where you live. The premier Cable Provider in the Philippines, SkyCable is just rolling out it’s “Digibox” service. With this new service, they will be offering Digital Cable, which should provide better signals, and with it more channels to choose from.
One thing you might remember from my past columns here is that I have mentioned that I missed Fox News, which was no longer available here after it was eliminated from the satellite provider that I used to subscribe to. The good news (for me and some others) is that Fox News is back! They can be gotten through this new Digibox Service from SkyCable now. I am indeed happy to have a source of US News again, or should I say, I am happy I will be getting it, since it is not yet available in my area.
With the new Digibox Service you will be able to subscribe to three different Packages of channels. Below is a list of all channels available, which would be gotten with the “Platinum Package.” The “Gold” and “Silver” packages are also available, and provide a fewer number of the same channels listed below.
HBO Hits
HBO Signature
HBO Family
Disney Playhouse
Nat Geo Adventure
Australia Network
Discovery Travel & Living
Channel V
Star Plus
Discovery Real Time
Boomerang Channel
Family Land
Discovery Home & Health
Wine TV
Arirang TV
Discovery Science
Fashion TV
CCTV
Fox News
TCM
CNBC
CNN
MGM
CTS
Cinemax
The Disney Channel
Hallmark Channel
Discovery Channel
Animal Planet
Cinema One
Myx
Hero
ANC
Basketball TV
Knowledge Channel
Lifestyle
Animax
Prices for subscribing to these packages? The Platinum Package is P1520 per month. The Gold Pack is P870 per month. The Silver Pack is P680 per month. Seems pretty reasonable to me!
Right now, this expanded Digibox Service is available in parts of Manila already. We called the Davao branch of SkyCable the other day and they told us that they are hoping to be offering the service in Davao by the end of the year, although they said it might turn out to be next year.
It’s always good to get more choices, and better service! Thankfully, for those who aren’t interested in more channels and a clearer picture, the lower packages are still going to be available. For others who want a crystal clear picture, and additional channels, it looks like the Digibox is going to be the way to go!
Bob,
In the US analog tv's will be out as of 2009 and Digitial broadcast and High definition Tv will be the the current option. What is happining there? Will analog tvs be out there too?
Wow in Uk we have had digital tv for many many years I forgot about terristal television until came here to Davao.
Thanks Bob I will take a look at this.
Hi Bruce – I suspect it will be many years before Digital takes over the marketplace here. Most people don't have enough money to replace their television sets here, so I don't think the Government here would push it. As of today, I do not believe that there are any digital broadcasters here in the Philippines yet. This digibox from SkyCable picks up an analog signal, converts it to digital, sends it to your home and the box converts back to analog for your tv set.
Hi John – Glad it's helpful! 🙂
Just FYI starting Jan 1 2008, Sky is dropping all of its Solar channels (which is ETC, ETC 2nd Ave, Jack TV, etc). May not be a big deal but it disappoints me because they have the exclusive rights for the 2008 Olympics.
Hi kikas_head – Thanks for stopping by and leaving the comment! Wow, I am really disappointed about this. We just got 2nd Ave. a couple of months ago here in Davao, and they have some pretty good shows. I particularly like it that they have NBC Nightly News, at least it gives some American News! Now, it's going away? Typical, I guess….. 😈
Bob
Thanks for this information, we have cable at our place and things do change but i notice star sports and bbc world are not on your list above. Just checking with you, is your list a full listing?, aah well if it is i guess i will have to rely on the internet for my news
Sky has been actively running the fiber optic cables needed to transmit this service for at least the past year. I would say next year is a good bet for Davao as long as you are close to a major road. The further back you live in your subdiv the harder it will be to get the cables run to your house. Wow 1520P a month? at the current xchng rate that's still $35 a month. Back home in Maryland I had the unfortunate experince of dealing with Comcast Cable who had a monopoly on Baltimore county. Basic extended cable service? $59/month… each premium channel (HBO, Cinemax etc.) tacked on an extra $15. Digital Cable packages started at $89 month and for the ultra package it was $140/month! I think of all the channels I miss from back in the US, the 2 I miss most are Spike Tv and SciFi channel.
Hi Louis – Interesting, I didn't realize that they were running fiber. I would love to get Cable Internet, but they still are not offering it in my neighborhood. When we called the other day, we asked when it would be available, they said that they had not gotten enough requests from my neighborhood to justify it. As a matter of fact, they said that nobody in my neighborhood had even inquired about it. Funny, because I have called and inquired myself a half dozen times in the last year! I guess I am "nobody". 😆
Bob – Lol well you're somebody to me. I got ZipDee Cable internet when I moved into my place. It's not as fast as cable net back home but it's faster than the low end DSL here and cheaper at 600P/month if you pay 1yr up front. There's very few times I get outages but I do get slowdowns sometimes. All in all I'd say I was happy with the service. It's ineresting hey don't have it in Marfori Heghts but I guess since I'm less than 100meters from JP Laurel Blvd I'm closer to the main lines.
Hi Louis – Well, thankfully, I don't have one of the lower end DSL plans, I actually have the highest one that PLDT offers. It's supposed to be 3 Mbps, although I usually get about 1 Mbps, and I'm relatively happy with that. I would like to get the ZipDee or whatever they call it as a backup for the times when PLDT is down. Also, I can run on the Cable Internet myself and let the staff use the PLDT, giving myself better speeds! 😆
What no SciFi channel? What are you paying for then? No wonder they sell cheap DVDs there.
I had been figuring my expenses at 45 to one pesos to the dollar looks like it may be closer to 40 to one by the time I get there. What a pain
I was wondering how much difference there is between quoted rates on the net and actual on the ground exchange rates? Oh and are $100 bills still the most accepted?
Hi John H – Sorry about that Sci-Fi Channel! Better figure the Dollar on about 40:1, because it is already worth less than 45, and still going south! Actual exchange rates on the street? You'll get a little below the official rate. $100 bills will give the best rate.
Hi Rick – Sorry it took me some extra time to get back to you. I checked with SkyCable about those channels. They told me that some channels are not on the list that I got from them! BBC and Star Sports are both included in the package.
Hi bob it's very difficult the site azureus for me I take out
from my pc. But I find another site on internet
program name JLC's internet tv 1.0 you make download
about 5 0r 10 minutes for all World international
have usa and other countrys there is 1300 chanels tv
need windows media player and also real player .
regards
Hi zois – I am happy that you found a solution that works for you!
Hi bob you are the reason I try to learn more about
my pc how work the pc now I understand my pc need
1 card graphic if I to look tv in pc. I ffind one small
shop have one man he is very kind explain very well
because before I buy one card geforce 6200 nvidia 256 MB I can't to look in my tv with colour only I can to look my tv
black and white, and tell this you buy the card
Ati ratheon 9250 128 MB and also have conection RCA this
Card and now I can look my tv with colour . many thanks
for your help. Only if you know site on internet free tv
from philippines.
regards
Hi zois – I am happy to help you! Unfortunately, I don't know of any sites with Philippine tv.
Hi Boss,
I'm happy to hear about the 'digibox', soon you can watch ur fav shows again. Fox News is also my fav news channel.
Hi Gladys – The only thing is – will it really come to Davao? It's the Philippines, after all! 😆