Malacañang exploring idea of radio-TV tie-up

Government may soon join the bandwagon of integrating radio broadcasts into television programming and making their unseen anchors and reporters recognizable to the public. Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma said they are “exploring" such a tie-up between National Broadcasting Network and the Bureau of Broadcast Services. “It has become a popular mode of broadcasting, where people can see the faces behind radio programs. It appears to be an attractive alternative we can pursue," Coloma said on government-run dzRB radio. Some private media networks have combined their radio with another platform such as the Internet and cable television, allowing viewers to see or watch their radio broadcasters. Coloma hinted the matter may be taken up at a top-level management meeting of regional directors of the government-run Radyo ng Bayan network. Radyo ng Bayan is under the Bureau of Broadcast Services under new director Tito Cruz. Coloma said the meeting may also evaluate “independent block-timers" at the government-run radio. Meanwhile, Coloma said government efforts are continuing on the privatization of sequestered television networks Radio Philippines Network (RPN) and Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp. (IBC). “We will be pushing this [idea] in the coming weeks. We see many challenges and opportunities here," he said. — LBG, GMANews.TV