TV Patrol returns to free TV

AFTER ALMOST two years of absence, ABS-CBN’s flagship news program TV Patrol is now back on free TV via A2Z channel 11. 

TV Patrol announced its return  on January 2 via their official Facebook page along with the new A27 programming schedule, earning cheers from netizens.

On January 1, the weekend edition of TV Patrol made an earlier comeback, also via A2Z.

A2Z is a free TV channel available in Metro Manila and nearby provinces and select parts of Eastern Visayas since expanding its coverage in September last year. 

A2Z channel 11 first began airing ABS-CBN’s programs in October 2020, through a quietly negotiated blocktime agreement between Villanueva-family owned ZOE Broadcasting Network and ABS-CBN that had been in the works since 2017– three years after ABS-CBN had first sought the renewal of its broadcast franchise in Congress ahead of its expiry in May 2020. 

“TV Patrol” is the latest program of the embattled network to join A2Z’s lineup after its shutdown in May of 2020 following the National Telecommunications Commission’s cease-and-desist order and the non-renewal of its franchise, which forced the network to go off-air. 

Already airing on the channel since October 2020 are the network’s “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” and noontime variety shows “It’s Showtime”, and “ASAP Natin ‘To”, to name a few. 

TV Patrol had previously been available  via ABS-CBN’s online platforms including the mobile streaming app iWant.PH and on cable television via ANC.

The TV Patrol newscast airs on weeknights from Monday to Friday, occupying the 6:30-8:00 PM time slot.