ABS-CBN, Sky Cable dispute Solar’s ‘unpaid fees’ claim – report

MANILA, Philippines – The dispute between Sky Cable and Solar that has caused some Filipino NBA fans to miss playoff action took a turn as the Lopez-owned cable company denounced the latter’s debt claim – saying it was actually the other way around. 

According to a column published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Friday, April 21, Sky Cable claimed that it was Solar Entertainment who had “significant outstanding debts” worth in millions, and that the company has not neglected its licensing and carriage fees as part of their agreement to the NBA and Solar. 

The ABS-CBN camp, as stated in the report, were equally shocked upon discovering the unavailability of the NBA Channels, which likewise frustrated the fans and subscribers who were looking forward to the playoffs. 

They further claim that Solar has not responded when inquired about an explanation regarding the unpaid fees issue, and that Sky did not offer a sum of money to resolve the liability. 

An earlier column previously claimed that ABS-CBN “immediately stopped paying” the carriage fees for the channels when the initial contract with the NBA ended in 2014. 

The unpaid liabilities have allegedly blown up to P659 million as of February this year, to which the cable company offered to disburse P111 million. Solar, owned by the Tieng family, declined the offer as the group began to pull out the basketball channels from Sky. 

Apart from NBA Premium and Basketball TV, other Solar channels such as Jack TV, Solar Sports, and CT were also noticeably absent from the cable provider.

Despite the standoff, the Sky Cable camp said that they “continue to reach out” and that they “remain open to come to terms with their “valuable partner.”

Rappler reached out to Solar for comment, but it was not returned as of the story’s publication.－Rappler.com