Nine Media Corporation
A Philippine media and content company that operates broadcast assets and provides programming for television networks.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Nine Media Corporation is a Philippine media and content company headquartered in Mandaluyong City. The business was established in 2010 as Solar Television Network, Inc., the corporate television arm of Solar Entertainment Corporation. In its original form, it supplied and managed programming for several Solar-affiliated and partner television outlets, including Radio Philippines Network, Southern Broadcasting Network, Rajah Broadcasting Network, and Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media. The company became closely associated with the development of Solar's news and general-entertainment television operations. It participated in the creation of Talk TV in 2011, which was later renamed Solar News Channel. The news operation recruited several broadcast journalists with experience in Philippine cable news and current-affairs television. The corporate structure also became linked to Radio Philippines Network, in which the company acquired a 34 percent controlling interest as part of the privatization of government-held broadcast assets in 2011. Solar's investment in the RPN operation produced financial pressure, and in 2014 Solar Entertainment sold the television company to the ALC Group of Companies. The transaction transferred control of the corporate television operation and its interest in RPN to the ALC group through intermediary holding companies. After the sale, the company adopted the name Nine Media Corporation. Its RPN television operation moved through several transitional identities, including 9TV, before entering into a brand-licensing and operating arrangement with Turner Broadcasting System that produced CNN Philippines. CNN Philippines launched in March 2015 and became the company's principal national television property. CNN Philippines combined news, public affairs, documentary, sports, and general programming for free-to-air television. Nine Media supplied the local operating and content infrastructure while the CNN brand was used under license. The company also continued to function as a content provider and broadcaster through the RPN network. Its ownership structure remained connected to the ALC Group through Broadreach Media Holdings, with the Cabangon-Chua family associated with the group after the death of former ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua in 2016. CNN Philippines closed at the end of January 2024 after Nine Media and CNN mutually agreed to end the partnership. The closure was attributed to continuing financial losses, weak ratings, and reduced advertiser support. Following the shutdown, Broadreach Media Holdings took over CNN Philippines-related assets and properties. Some former news personnel and operations subsequently became associated with NewsWatch Plus, a digital news service operated independently from CNN Philippines. Nine Media also remained involved in Philippine free-to-air television through RPTV, a channel developed with Radio Philippines Network and TV5 Network. RPTV launched in February 2024 and carried selected programming from TV5 and related properties, including entertainment and sports content. The arrangement returned Nine Media's RPN-related broadcast operation to a more general programming model after the end of CNN Philippines. The company therefore remains active, although its business has shifted from operating a branded 24-hour news channel to managing broadcast assets, partnerships, and block-timed programming.
History
Nine Media Corporation originated in Solar Entertainment Corporation's expansion into corporate television operations. It was incorporated in 2010 under the name Solar Television Network, Inc. and initially served as Solar's television arm, supplying programming and managing broadcast relationships involving several Philippine stations. Its early development followed Solar TV's use of Radio Philippines Network. Solar TV had relaunched on RPN in 2009 under an airtime-lease arrangement, carrying imported programs, local sports, and lifestyle content. In 2011, the corporate television operation launched Talk TV with Southern Broadcasting Network. The channel later became Solar News Channel, while a dedicated Solar News division was developed with journalists who had previously worked in Philippine cable news. The company also became involved in the privatization of Radio Philippines Network. In 2011, Solar's television operation acquired a 34 percent controlling interest in RPN from the Philippine government. The investment expanded Solar's presence in free-to-air broadcasting but also contributed to financial pressure. In 2014, Solar Entertainment sold the television company to the ALC Group of Companies. The change in ownership brought the company's RPN interest under ALC control through intermediary corporate entities and ended the company's direct association with the Tieng family's Solar television structure. After the transaction, the company removed Solar branding from its news operation and briefly operated the RPN outlet as 9TV. On October 14, 2014, Solar TV Network formally became Nine Media Corporation. The new company entered into a licensing arrangement with Turner Broadcasting System to use the CNN brand for the RPN free-to-air service. CNN Philippines launched on March 16, 2015, combining domestic news and current affairs with international CNN-branded content, sports, documentaries, and general programming. Nine Media experienced executive changes during the early CNN Philippines period. Reggie Galura left the presidency in 2015 and Jorge San Agustin served as officer-in-charge. In 2016, CNN Philippines managing editor Armie Jarin-Bennett became president and chief executive officer. The company's ownership remained associated with the ALC Group, whose investment structure included Broadreach Media Holdings and other intermediary entities. The company also retained a substantial relationship with RPN and its national station network. CNN Philippines continued until January 2024. Nine Media and CNN agreed to terminate the relationship after prolonged financial problems, low audience ratings, and weakened advertising support. The channel stopped live news production and was dissolved on January 31. Broadreach Media Holdings assumed control of the former channel's assets and properties. Some remaining staff and operations later contributed to NewsWatch Plus, a digitally oriented news service managed independently of CNN Philippines. The closure did not end Nine Media's broadcast activities. On January 31, 2024, Nine Media, RPN, and TV5 Network formed a programming partnership for RPTV, which began broadcasting on February 1. The channel carried selected programs including entertainment and sports supplied by TV5 and associated services. The partnership was formalized in February 2024 and represented a shift from a CNN-branded news network toward a broader block-timed and partnership-based television model.
- 2024
CNN Philippines closed
[1]The CNN Philippines service ceased operations after Nine Media and CNN ended their partnership.
- 2024
RPTV launched
[1]Nine Media and RPN partnered with TV5 to launch RPTV as a general-interest free-to-air channel.
- 2015
CNN Philippines launched
[1]CNN Philippines began broadcasting on the RPN free-to-air platform under a brand-licensing arrangement.
- 2014
Ownership transferred to ALC Group
[1]Solar Entertainment sold the television operation to the ALC Group of Companies.
- 2014
Nine Media name adopted
[1]Solar TV Network was renamed Nine Media Corporation during the transition to a CNN-branded television service.
- 2012
Solar News Channel introduced
[1]Talk TV was replaced by Solar News Channel, supported by a newly developed news division.
- 2011
Talk TV launched
[1]The company launched Talk TV with Southern Broadcasting Network, beginning a sequence of news-oriented channel developments.
- 2011
RPN interest acquired
[1]The company became associated with the privatization of Radio Philippines Network through a 34 percent controlling interest.
- 2010
Solar Television Network established
[1]Solar Entertainment established its corporate television arm, Solar Television Network, Inc.
Products and positioning
A Philippine broadcast and content operator focused on free-to-air television, news and current affairs, sports, entertainment, and network partnerships.
Free-to-air television channel · 2024
RPTV
RPTV is a general-interest Philippine free-to-air channel operated through a partnership involving Nine Media, Radio Philippines Network, and TV5 Network. It carries selected entertainment, news-related, and sports programming from TV5 and affiliated services, including sports events and other block-timed content. Its launch followed the closure of CNN Philippines and restored a broader programming model to the RPN television platform.
News and current-affairs television channel · 2015
CNN Philippines
CNN Philippines was Nine Media's principal national television service from 2015 to 2024. It combined Philippine news and public-affairs programming with international CNN content, documentaries, sports, and general-interest shows. The service operated on the RPN free-to-air platform under a brand-licensing arrangement with Turner Broadcasting System. It closed after financial losses, weak ratings, and reduced advertiser support.
News television channel · 2012
Solar News Channel
Solar News Channel was a news-oriented television service developed by the company's predecessor. It followed Talk TV and operated across partner broadcast outlets before the 2014 ownership transition. Its programming and newsroom established much of the editorial infrastructure later used by 9TV and CNN Philippines.
News and talk television channel · 2011
Talk TV
Talk TV was launched as an all-talk and news channel by the company's predecessor in partnership with Southern Broadcasting Network. It provided an early platform for the company's expansion into news and current affairs and was later renamed Solar News Channel.
Brand decisions
2024
Closure of CNN PhilippinesStrategyBackground
The service experienced financial losses, poor ratings, and declining advertiser support.
Action taken
Nine Media and CNN mutually ended the partnership, halted live news production, and dissolved CNN Philippines on January 31, 2024.
Aftermath
Broadreach Media Holdings assumed the former service's assets and properties, while Nine Media moved toward a broader RPTV partnership with RPN and TV5.
2024
RPTV partnershipProduct launchBackground
After CNN Philippines closed, Nine Media and RPN required a new programming model for the affected free-to-air television platform.
Action taken
Nine Media and RPN partnered with TV5 Network to launch RPTV with selected entertainment and sports programming.
Aftermath
RPTV began broadcasting in February 2024 and provided Nine Media with an active general-programming television outlet.
2014
Sale to the ALC Group of CompaniesM&ABackground
Solar Entertainment faced revenue losses after investing in Radio Philippines Network and decided to sell its corporate television arm.
Action taken
The ALC Group acquired the television company and its associated 34 percent controlling interest in RPN through intermediary corporate holdings.
Aftermath
The company was renamed Nine Media Corporation, Solar branding was removed from the news operation, and the business moved toward a CNN-branded television service.
2014
CNN brand licensing and network transitionStrategyBackground
Following the ownership change, the company needed a new identity for its RPN television operation and its news programming.
Action taken
Nine Media entered into a licensing arrangement with Turner Broadcasting System and transitioned through 9TV before launching CNN Philippines.
Aftermath
CNN Philippines became the company's principal television service from 2015 until its closure in 2024.
Sources1 sources
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