Solar Entertainment
Solar Entertainment is a Philippine media company involved in television channel operations, broadcasting, sports programming, film distribution and digital television.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Solar Entertainment Corporation, generally known as Solar Entertainment or simply Solar, is a privately held Philippine media company founded in 1976 by brothers William, Wilson and Willy Tieng. Based in Makati, the company developed from a film and television business into a diversified media operator with interests in cable television, free-to-air broadcasting, sports rights, news programming, film distribution and digital television services. The company entered cable television in 1994 with the Solar Entertainment Channel. During the following decade it built a portfolio of specialty channels aimed at different audience segments. These included Solar Sports, ETC, Jack TV, C/S, 2nd Avenue, Basketball TV, The Game Channel, My Movie Channel and other services that were subsequently renamed, repositioned or discontinued. The portfolio combined imported American entertainment, lifestyle and crime programming with sports, movies and locally produced content. Solar’s programming strategy was based on assembling channel brands for Philippine cable subscribers while also using broadcast partnerships to reach free-to-air audiences. Solar expanded its infrastructure in 2000 by acquiring Domestic Satellite Philippines Inc. through a government privatization process. DOMSAT became a wholly owned subsidiary and supplied teleport, satellite distribution and production capabilities for Solar’s television services. This infrastructure supported channel origination and distribution from facilities in Antipolo, Rizal, including studio and production operations. A major strategic shift occurred in the late 2000s, when Solar began using block-time and affiliation arrangements with Philippine broadcast networks. After several Solar cable channels were removed from the Sky Cable lineup, ETC, C/S and 2nd Avenue were placed on broadcast outlets associated with RPN, SBN and RJTV. Solar subsequently strengthened its position in free-to-air television through investments and transactions involving Southern Broadcasting Network and Radio Philippines Network. In 2011, the company acquired a significant stake in RPN as part of the network’s privatization and operated a broadcast media arm known as Solar TV. Solar also moved into news and current affairs. Solar News was organized in 2012 during coverage of the impeachment proceedings involving Chief Justice Renato Corona. The operation recruited experienced Philippine television journalists and introduced national newscasts, public-affairs programs, regional-language news and documentary content. Solar News Channel later transferred between SBN and RPN as the company adjusted its broadcast affiliations and sought wider nationwide reach. Sports has remained one of Solar’s most visible areas. The company operated Solar Sports and Basketball TV and participated in the Philippine distribution of major basketball and boxing events. It entered partnerships involving National Basketball Association coverage, Manny Pacquiao boxing broadcasts and the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. These arrangements helped Solar combine specialist cable channels with mass-market broadcast exposure. The company has also maintained a film business. Solar Films, later associated with the Solar Pictures name, began distributing international films in 1988 and subsequently added Philippine films. Its distribution history included major international releases, while later activities included collaboration with independent filmmaker Brillante Mendoza and the launch of the Sinag Maynila film festival in 2015. Solar’s channel portfolio and corporate structure have changed repeatedly through rebranding, affiliations, acquisitions and closures. Some former businesses, including the news operations and several legacy entertainment channels, were later transferred, sold, renamed or discontinued. The company is nevertheless identified with its continuing television, film and media assets, including SolarFlix, Solar Sports, Solar Learning, Shop TV and Southern Broadcasting Network. Its former digital television service Easy TV Home is defunct. The company’s overall positioning is that of a Philippine content, broadcasting and media-services group rather than a single-format consumer brand.
History
Solar Entertainment was established in 1976 by brothers William, Wilson and Willy Tieng. Its initial business developed around media and entertainment, with a major early expansion into film distribution. Solar Films was formed in 1988 and distributed international releases in the Philippines, later adding local films from 2009. The company subsequently worked with independent filmmaker Brillante Mendoza and expanded its participation in Philippine film culture through the Sinag Maynila film festival, launched in 2015. Solar entered cable television on January 1, 1994, with the Solar Entertainment Channel. It later developed a broad family of specialty services, including sports, women’s entertainment, general entertainment, crime and action, lifestyle, movies and gaming. Solar Sports and Basketball TV became important sports outlets, while ETC, Jack TV, C/S and 2nd Avenue supplied entertainment programming. Several of these services were rebranded or discontinued as distribution conditions and broadcast partnerships changed. In December 2000, Solar acquired Domestic Satellite Philippines Inc. after winning a government sale of DOMSAT’s franchise and assets. The acquisition gave Solar a satellite teleport and technical facilities used for program origination, production and distribution. This infrastructure supported the company’s growing cable portfolio and later broadcast operations. From 2008 onward, Solar increasingly used block-time and affiliation arrangements with Philippine free-to-air networks. ETC, C/S and 2nd Avenue were placed on outlets connected with SBN, RPN and RJTV after changes in cable carriage. Solar later acquired equity in SBN and participated in the privatization of RPN. These developments allowed the company to move beyond cable programming and operate a larger broadcast presence. Solar’s news ambitions became visible in 2012. Solar News was formed during the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona and brought together journalists with backgrounds at ABS-CBN, ANC and RPN NewsWatch. Solar News Channel introduced national newscasts, public-affairs programs, documentaries and regional-language news. The company also launched facilities and programming associated with the channel while managing complex scheduling relationships with ETC and RPN. Solar continued to invest in sports distribution. It participated in NBA coverage with ABS-CBN, supported boxing broadcasts connected with Manny Pacquiao, and partnered with TV5 for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. These events complemented the company’s dedicated sports services. The business experienced further management and ownership developments in 2013. Maria Theresa Borromeo was appointed chief operating officer and Manuel Quiogue was designated chief commercial officer, although Quiogue died shortly afterward before taking up the role. Media reports also described interest from San Miguel president Ramon Ang in acquiring an interest, but the available reference does not establish a completed controlling acquisition. Solar’s present identity is based on a changing portfolio of television and media assets. The company is associated with SolarFlix, Solar Sports, Solar Learning and Shop TV, as well as Southern Broadcasting Network and the Solar Pictures film business. Its former Easy TV Home digital television service is defunct, and many earlier channel brands no longer operate under their original names. The company’s history is therefore characterized by portfolio rotation, broadcast affiliations, rights partnerships and movement between cable, free-to-air and digital distribution.
- 2015
Sinag Maynila film festival launches
[1]Solar presents a festival dedicated to new Philippine films and directors.
- 2013
Solar broadcasts the FIBA Asia Championship
[1]Solar joins TV5 and AksyonTV in televising the Manila-hosted tournament.
- 2012
Solar News is established
[1]The company creates a news operation and launches national news and current-affairs programming.
- 2011
Solar participates in RPN privatization
[1]Solar acquires a significant stake in RPN and develops a larger broadcast operation.
- 2008
Solar expands through broadcast block-time arrangements
[1]Solar places several cable-originated channels on Philippine broadcast outlets.
- 2004
Solar begins UIP film distribution
[1]Solar announces Philippine distribution of United International Pictures releases, beginning with Shrek 2.
- 2000
DOMSAT is acquired
[1]Solar acquires Domestic Satellite Philippines Inc., adding satellite and broadcast-distribution infrastructure.
- 1994
Solar enters cable television
[1]Solar launches the Solar Entertainment Channel on cable.
- 1988
Solar Films is formed
[1]The company expands into film distribution, initially focusing on international releases.
- 1976
Solar Entertainment is founded
[1]William, Wilson and Willy Tieng establish the Philippine media company.
Products and positioning
A Philippine media group combining specialty television channels, sports and entertainment programming, film distribution, broadcasting infrastructure and selected digital television services.
Sports television channel
Solar Sports
A sports-focused television service associated with Solar’s long-running distribution of basketball, boxing and other sporting events. It formed part of the company’s strategy of maintaining a dedicated sports brand alongside general entertainment and film channels.
Film and entertainment television channel
SolarFlix
A Solar digital free-to-air channel centered on movie and entertainment programming. It represents the company’s continuing use of channel brands designed for Philippine television distribution.
Educational television channel
Solar Learning
A digital free-to-air channel carrying educational and learning-oriented programming within Solar’s current channel portfolio.
Shopping television channel
Shop TV
A television shopping service operated within Solar’s digital channel portfolio, providing commerce-oriented programming rather than conventional entertainment or news.
Film distribution · 1988
Solar Pictures
Solar’s film distribution business, originating with Solar Films in 1988. It has handled international releases and later Philippine productions, and has collaborated with local filmmakers and film-festival initiatives.
Digital television service
Easy TV Home
A former freemium digital television service associated with Solar. The service is no longer operating.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015Sinag Maynila Film Festival
Philippines
Solar launched a film festival presenting five Philippine films by directors with distinct creative approaches. Screenings were held at selected SM Cinemas, followed by an awards ceremony.
Outcome. The festival established a recurring platform for Philippine independent and local cinema.
Brand decisions
2012
Launch of Solar News ChannelProduct launchBackground
Solar developed a news operation during coverage of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Action taken
The company launched Solar News Channel with national newscasts, current-affairs programs and documentary content.
Aftermath
The news operation later moved between SBN and RPN as Solar adjusted its nationwide broadcast strategy.
2011
Expansion into privatized RPN broadcastingStrategyBackground
Solar had been expanding from cable programming into free-to-air broadcasting through network affiliations.
Action taken
Solar acquired a 34 percent interest in RPN as part of the network’s privatization and expanded Solar TV programming.
Aftermath
The transaction enabled a broader broadcast platform for Solar’s entertainment, news and sports content.
2000
Acquisition of Domestic Satellite PhilippinesM&ABackground
Solar sought greater control over satellite distribution and television technical infrastructure.
Action taken
It acquired DOMSAT through a government sale and made the company a wholly owned subsidiary.
Aftermath
DOMSAT facilities supported Solar’s program origination, production and distribution operations.
Sources1 sources
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