The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has confirmed analog television broadcasts in Mega Manila will officially cease on November 22, 2026, marking a major milestone in the country’s shift to digital TV. Deputy Commissioner Alvin Blanco said the target date is firm, and that television networks have been preparing public service announcements and information materials to help people get ready for the change.
This first phase covers Metro Manila as well as Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, and Bataan, in line with NTC Memorandum Circular No. 005-11-2025, which requires stations in these areas to transition to the ISDB-T digital standard within one year. Surveys from Kantar Media Philippines, commissioned by the DICT, show about 80 percent of TV households in the region already have access to digital broadcasts as of late 2024.
For viewers, the switch means better quality programming overall. Digital TV delivers clearer pictures, sharper sound, and more reliable reception than analog. It also allows multiple shows to air on a single channel, giving people more choices. One of the most important benefits is the built-in emergency warning system, which can send official alerts directly to TV sets during typhoons, earthquakes, or other emergencies — a vital feature for communities across the country.
The NTC is working closely with broadcasters to ensure everyone still using analog TV knows what’s coming next. Authorities say they will check how ready other parts of the country are before setting switch-off dates elsewhere, and will roll out similar awareness campaigns as the transition moves forward nationwide.
