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System Maintenance Advisory: MAO E-Notification System

Please be advised that the MAO E-Notification System will undergo scheduled maintenance to implement system enhancements from 01 April to 06 April 2026. During this period, the system will be temporarily unavailable.

The last day for electronic submissions through the MAO E-Notification System will be on 31 March 2026 (5:00 PM).

If there are submissions due during the scheduled maintenance period, all concerned parties are advised to ensure the early submission of the necessary documents prior to the maintenance dates.

The enhanced MAO E-Notification System will resume normal operations on Tuesday, 07 April 2026.

For any questions or concerns, please contact the Mergers and Acquisitions Office via email at mergers@phcc.gov.ph or by telephone at +632 8771 9722 local 252.

Please be guided accordingly.

 

 

 

Advisory: LMS Rebranding to PCC eCLASS

In line with its rebranding efforts, PCC's Learning Management System (LMS), previously known as iCLP: Online Learning Hub on Competition Law and Policy, will now be called PCC eCLASS: Enhanced Competition Learning Activities Spaces.

Correspondingly, the platform’s domain name will be changed from iclp.phcc.gov.ph to eclass.phcc.gov.ph.

Please be advised that the LMS will be temporarily unavailable from March 27, 2026 (5:00 PM) to March 31, 2026 (11:59 PM) to facilitate this transition.

Beginning April 1, 2026, users may access PCC’s online courses through the new domain.

 

 

 

PCC Advisory: Trunkline Service Interruption

 

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/ PCC examines impact of blocktiming practices on competition in the Philippine free TV sector

PRESS RELEASE
31 January 2025

PCC examines impact of blocktiming practices on competition in the Philippine free TV sector

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has published a study examining the blocktiming practices in the free TV industry to assess the effects to competition of industry developments.

The study, entitled “Blocktiming Practices in the Philippine Free TV Industry”, discussed among others the non-renewal of ABS-CBN Corp.'s franchise. Blocktiming refers to agreements wherein content producers buy airtime (or “blocks” of time) from TV networks to broadcast their programs and content.

The study observed an increase in market concentration following the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise. GMA Network now commands roughly 93% of the free TV market. The study evaluated the ability of a dominant network to engage in input foreclosure, which occurs when a TV network refuses to offer time slots to content producers that are not affiliated with the network; or when it charges exorbitant prices for time slots, making it difficult for non-affiliated content producers to secure them.

However, the study found that the existing industry practices disincentivize TV networks from foreclosing airtime. Most networks already prioritize airing their own content over blocktime agreements, as seen in their historical programming choices. Foreclosing airtime could also reduce audience reach and make networks less attractive to advertisers, impacting revenue. Since foreclosure strategies limit the range of aired television content, it may lead to a decrease in audience reach and reduce the number of potential advertisers and revenue-generating opportunities.

The study also pointed out that the rise of over-the-top (OTT) platforms (e.g., Netflix, YouTube) helps mitigate the potential anti-competitive effects by providing alternative distribution channels for content producers and promoting diverse programming options for viewers.

For more information about the study and its findings, visit https://bit.ly/PCCMarketStudy2024-02 or send an email to eo-pmd@phcc.gov.ph.

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REFERENCES:  

publicaffairs@phcc.gov.ph
Public Affairs and Research Division
Communications and Knowledge Management Office

eo-pmd@phcc.gov.ph
Policy and Markets Division
Economics Office 



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