ABS-CBN artists, talent managers agree to reduce talent fees to support TV network

MANILA, Philippines — Artists in ABS-CBN, who currently have airing shows, and their talent managers have decided to reduce their talent fees to help the media giant cope with its losses after its television and radio operations were shut down.

“We are grateful to all our artists for their understanding and support for the network during these difficult times. We thank them for keeping the passion and commitment to bring joy and entertainment to our audience in the midst of the pandemic and the shutdown,” ABS-CBN chief operating officer of broadcast Cory Vidanes said in a statement on Saturday.

ABS-CBN continues to lose P30 to P35 million daily in advertising revenues due to the closure and COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus disease threat prompted stricter production for tapings and staging of live entertainment shows.

In the same statement, Professional Artist Managers Inc. head June Rufino said the talent managers did not disagree on the reduction as they understood the economic situation of the TV network.

“In good times, ABS-CBN has been with us. In bad times, we want to be there for them. Ngayon alam nila, wala ang ABS-CBN. Naiintindihan nila iyon (Talent managers know that ABS-CBN is closed, they understand that). We want to cooperate.  We want to help ABS-CBN in whatever way we can and taking a pay cut is one way to do that,” she said.

ABS-CBN’s radio and television went off the air last May 5 to comply with the cease-and-desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission as the network’s 25-year franchise expired.

Currently, the House of Representatives suspended its hearing on the franchise to allow the media network and other agencies to gather needed documents which will be studied by the lawmakers.