Free TV channel 11 to air ABS-CBN shows beginning Oct. 10

Some Kapamilya shows will be back on TV screens starting Saturday, October 10, after striking a deal with Zoe Broadcasting Network Inc. operating channel 11.

Photo credit: mb.com.ph

On Tuesday, ABS-CBN officially announced its broadcast deal with Zoe Broadcasting Network, a free-to-air channel owned by the family of religious leader and Congressman Eddie Villanueva.

In a statement, the Lopez-led network gave little details of its broadcast comeback, saying only that “some entertainment shows and movies” the company produces will be seen on a “rebranded” A2Z Channel 11, formerly Zoe TV.

ABS-CBN and Zoe are committed to work together to provide entertainment, public service programs, and educational content to the public,

the Lopez-owned network said.

A2Z channel 11 will be seen on analog TV in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The network has yet to announce the full line-up of shows that will be airing on the channel, but a previous post on the Kapamilya Online World Facebook page said that noontime variety shows It's Showtime and ASAP Natin 'To will be among them.

The channel confirmed its rebrand into A2Z complete with a new station icon, sparked by a blocktime deal with ABS-CBN. It added that existing content from CBN Asia, Knowledge Channel, and Light TV will continue to air on channel 11.

Zoe TV is currently run by Sherwin Tugna, a former congressman and Villanueva's son-in-law. It promises to provide content that will fulfill "spiritual, information, and entertainment needs" of Filipino audience.

Zoe Broadcasting Network, Inc. (Zoe) is presently in its 28th year of Christian, family-oriented and wholesome television and radio broadcasting, according to its website. 

The ABS-CBN application for a new franchise was rejected by Congress on July 10, forcing the company to retrench many of its 11,000 workers.

Since going off-air, select ABS-CBN news and entertainment programs have been available online via Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube and Facebook, and on cable and satellite TV via the Kapamilya Channel.