A great majority of Filipinos (69%) are in favor of the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, according to the February 2025 national survey of non-partisan public opinion research firm WR Numero. Meanwhile, 10% oppose the renewal, and 21% are undecided.
The latest Philippine Public Opinion Monitor surveyed the Filipinos’ sentiment on the proposed legislation in Congress to renew the franchise of broadcast network ABS-CBN.
The non-commissioned survey was conducted from February 10 to 18, 2025, after the House Committee on Legislative Franchises held a hearing on the network’s new franchise on February 5. ABS-CBN was first shut down in 2020 following a cease-and-desist order by the National Telecommunications Commission after its franchise expired.
Regionally, Filipinos residing in Metro Manila had the highest approval, with almost 4 in 5 (79%) supporting the renewal of the network’s franchise. Filipinos from Visayas also share the same sentiment with 73% of Visayans expressing their agreement. This is followed by Mindanao and the rest of Luzon, with 69% and 65%, respectively. In contrast, opposition is minimal across the regions, with the highest opposition coming from the rest of Luzon (12%).
The survey revealed that across age groups, Filipinos aged 31 to 59 showed the strongest support for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal with almost 3 in 4 (72%) expressing their approval. Support is also notably high among Filipinos aged 60 and above and those aged 30 and below, at 70% and 66%, respectively. Across the age groups, there is little disagreement, with the most disapproval coming from Filipinos aged 30 and below, and those aged 31 to 59 (10% each).
Across income classes, approval for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal is consistently high, with Class ABC (71%), Class D (70%), Class E (69%) showing nearly equal levels of support. Meanwhile, opposition remains low, with only 10% of Class E, 9% of Class ABC, and 8% of Class D expressing their disapproval.
Regardless of political alignment, support for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal is high. When asked about their views about the network’s franchise, nearly 4 in 5 (79%) administration-aligned Filipinos expressed their support, the highest among all partisan groups. This is followed by those identifying as opposition (77%), independents (74%), and those unsure of their partisanship (61%). The highest disapproval comes from opposition aligned Filipinos with 11% expressing their objection.
The nationwide, non-commissioned survey, conducted from February 10 to 18, 2025, was done through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,814 Filipinos aged 18 and older. The survey has a margin of error of ±2% at a 95% confidence level. At the subnational level, the margin of error is ±6% for the National Capital Region, ±5% for North and Central Luzon, ±5% for South Luzon, ±5% for the Visayas, and ±5% for Mindanao, all at the same 95% confidence level.
The complete Volume 2025 Issue 1 report is set to be released this March. The issue will feature the complete survey findings on the current state of public opinion on the upcoming 2025 general elections, the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, and crucial issues concerning the nation and the world. Sign up at bit.ly/PPOMSignup to receive updates once the complete WR Numero Philippine Public Opinion Monitor Volume 2025, Issue 1 is released.
