Sonshine Media Network International
Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), also known by its legal operating name Swara Sug Media Corporation (SSMC),[2] is a Filipino broadcast media arm of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) led by the Filipino televangelist Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy.[3] Based in Davao City and Makati, it operates a network of radio and television broadcasting stations.
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mass media |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquarters |
|
Area served | Nationwide |
Key people |
|
| Products |
|
| Services | |
| Owner | Kingdom of Jesus Christ |
| Parent | Kingdom of Jesus Christ |
| Website | www |
The logo of SMNI since 2010 | |
| Type | Terrestrial television network |
|---|---|
| Country | Philippines |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters |
|
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English Filipino |
| Picture format | 4:3 480i (SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Swara Sug Media Corporation |
| Key people |
|
| Sister channels | SMNI News Channel |
| History | |
| Launched | 2000 |
| Founder | Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy |
| Former names |
|
| Links | |
| Website | www |
It currently owns and operates a sister channel (SMNI News Channel), the broadcasting network is available over terrestrial broadcast in the Philippines, and on cable, satellite, and online streaming worldwide.[4] The network now owns and operates two television networks, where the main flagship station, based in Davao City, maintains an uninterrupted 24-hour service through regular repetition of a dozen self-produced Kingdom Programs in English, Filipino, and dozens of foreign languages along with news, public affairs, public service, infotainment, sports and entertainment programs. On the other hand, the network's sister channel SMNI News Channel, based in Makati, primarily provides rolling news coverage and public affairs programs, which broadcasts exclusively in Digital TV format in Metro Manila, Metro Davao, Benguet and Cagayan de Oro. It also maintains a network of radio stations under the "Sonshine Radio" brand of the Swara Sug Media Corporation.
The broadcasting network was licensed in late 2003 by the Philippine government to operate seven analog free-to-air television channels in key cities across the country. It also has four digital terrestrial channels in Metro Manila, Benguet, Cagayan de Oro and Metro Davao.[5]
History
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ's Media Ministry, known today as SMNI, traced its roots on the radio, with the program "Pagsusi sa Kamatuoran" (Searching for Truth) on radio stations DXDC and DXUM. The television ministry began in 1991, when they launched their first television program, "The Hour of Truth" aired nationally on IBC and ABS-CBN stations in Visayas and Mindanao, followed by "Powerline" in 1995.
In July 2000, The Kingdom of Jesus Christ officially launched its 24-hour cable network, "The Q Channel" (then also known as "ACQ–TV, Q Channel"; not to be confused with GMA's sister free TV channel QTV/Q (Quality TeleVision) launched in 2005 and now known as GTV via Channel 27 since 2021), bringing the Gospel of the Kingdom from Davao City to key cities around the Philippines, which was carried by Sky Cable.
On April 25, 2003, The Q Channel successfully metamorphosed as the "ACQ–Kingdom Broadcasting Network (ACQ-KBN)", with an expanded reach across the Asia-Pacific region and the United States via satellite, also carrying the new slogan "Delivering the Good news 24 hours a day, 7 days a week".[6] During also in the same year, ACQ-KBN launched its first TV station Sonshine TV-43 Davao, and introduced new religious programs such as Give Us This Day, Sounds of Worship, Batang Kaharian (lit. Kingdom Child), Way Ahead, Highest Praise, Quiet Moments and many more.
In 2004, ACQ-KBN signed a historic agreement with GlobeCast World TV, which aims to expand its broadcast footprint around the world. In the same year also that KJC through ACQ-KBN launched its own radio station in Davao City as "DXAQ Kingdom Radio 1404 AM".
In March 2005, KJC and ACQ-KBN acquired the congressional franchise, ownership and management of the Swara Sug Media Corporation (SSMC). at the same day, ACQ-KBN and SSMC acquired all the NBC Angel Radyo AM stations from Nation Broadcasting Corporation, which in turn, gave birth as the "Sonshine Radio" network.
In November 2005, DWAQ-TV Channel 39 went back on the air and began its test broadcast as "ACQ-KBN Sonshine TV-39 Metro Manila". On January 8, 2006, ACQ-KBN Sonshine TV 39 was launched during the first Global Thanksgiving and Worship presentation of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, which held at the PhilSports Arena, the network ventured from Cable TV broadcasting to Free-to-Air TV broadcasting, and broadcasts with the transmitter power of 60 kilowatts.[7]
On June 5, 2006, ACQ-KBN Sonshine TV launched "Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI)" as News and Public Affairs block which became a tie-up of ACQ-KBN Sonshine TV-39 in Metro Manila and ACQ-KBN Sonshine TV-43 in Davao, with the original slogan "Service First, Right Here, Right Now, Worldwide".
On July 30, 2006, ACQ-KBN Sonshine TV is now on Nationwide with more than 500 cable TV operators across the Philippines.
On January 4, 2009, ACQ-KBN Sonshine TV-37 in Santiago, Isabela as the third TV station after the TV stations are TV-39 Manila and TV-43 Davao, ACQ-KBN Sonshine TV-37 is launched after the first Global Thanksgiving and Worship presentation at the Buenavista Barangay Hall in Santiago, Isabela and followed by on May 10, 2009, The fourth TV Station as ACQ-KBN Sonshine TV-39 Butuan is launched after the first global thanksgiving and Worship presentation at the Luciana Convention Center in Butuan City.
In August 2010, ACQ-KBN Sonshine TV (merger of ACQ-KBN and Sonshine Media Network International) was renamed again as simply "SMNI", the network now focuses in Religious, News and Public Affairs programs carried from the now-defunct ACQ-KBN, it also the network was launched with the new slogan "Alternative media, Alternative power, it Sustains Life" (first slogan) and "Informs, Delivers, Transforms" (second slogan) with a new station ID.
In January 2011, SMNI was launched with a new slogan "Where Everything is Possible" with a new station ID.
On May 24, 2016, SMNI launched its own News and Public affairs channel as SMNI News Channel and it is exclusively aired over Digital Terrestrial Television on UHF Channel 40 in Metro Manila until December 31, 2022 (move to UHF Channel 43 starting January 1, 2023) and its internet Live streaming.
On August 31, 2019, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11422 which renewed Swara Sug Media Corporation license for another 25 years. The law grants SSMC a franchise to construct, install, operate, and maintain, for commercial purposes, radio broadcasting stations and television stations, including digital television system, with the corresponding facilities such as relay stations, throughout the Philippines.[8][9]
On January 26, 2022, the National Telecommunications Commission assigned the network's television frequency on channel 43 which was formerly used by Mareco Broadcasting Network as a TV carry-over station of 105.1 Crossover from 1994 to 2000 and AMCARA Broadcasting Network for ABS-CBN's DTT broadcast from 2013 to 2020.[10] On January 1, 2023, SMNI began to transmit its digital test broadcast on UHF Channel 43 (647.143 MHz) as its permanent frequency assigned by NTC.
SMNI TV programs
SMNI stations nationwide
SMNI TV stations in the Philippines
SMNI TV nationwide
| Branding | Callsign | Ch. # | Power (kW) | Station type | Location (transmitter site) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMNI TV-43 Davao | DXAQ-TV | TV-43 | 50 kW | Originating | Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City |
| SMNI TV-35 Laoag | DWSB-TV | TV-35 | 5 kW | Relay | Laoag |
| SMNI TV-38 Vigan | DWSP-TV | TV-38 | 5 kW | Relay | Vigan |
| SMNI TV-37 Isabela | DWSA-TV | TV-37 | 2 kW | Relay | Santiago, Isabela |
| SMNI TV-39 Roxas | DYSW-TV | TV-39 | 1 kW | Relay | Brgy, 10 Purok Mantinlo, KM No. 1 Roxas Avenue Extension, Roxas City, Capiz |
| SMNI TV-39 Butuan | DXSW-TV | TV-39 | 5 kW | Relay | Butuan |
SMNI TV on digital terrestrial television
| Terrestrial | Callsign | Ch. # | Frequency | Power | Area of Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital | DWAQ-DTV | 39 (Digital Test Broadcast) | 623.143 MHz | 5 kW | Metro Manila |
| 43 (Digital Test Broadcast) | 647.143 MHz | 1 kW | |||
| 44 (Digital Test Broadcast) | 653.143 MHz | ||||
| Digital | DXAQ-TV | 19 (Digital Test Broadcast) | 503.143 MHz | 3 kW | Davao |
Affiliates
| Terrestrial | Callsign | Ch. # | Frequency | Power | Area of Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital | DWBQ-DTV | 45 (Digital Test Broadcast) | 659.143 MHz | 2.5 kW | Metro Baguio and Northern and Central Luzon |
SMNI TV on pay television
| Cable Provider | Ch. # | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Cablelink | 95 | Metro Manila |
| Destiny Cable | 162 on Digital | |
| Sky Cable | 162 on Digital | Metro Manila Cavite Laguna |
| 14 | Metro Baguio | |
| Mountainview Satellite Corporation | 90 | |
| SkyCable | 10 | Metro Laoag |
| Sunshine CATV | 73 | |
| Eaglevision Cable | 64 | Vigan |
| Vigan Satellite Cable TV | 35 | |
| Regal Cable TV Network | 52 | Santiago |
| New City Cable System | 78 | |
| Angeles City Cable Television Network | 84 | Angeles, Pampanga |
| Muñoz Satellite Cable TV | 97 | Muñoz |
| Home Choice Cable TV | 90 | |
| Community Cable TV | 78 | Los Baños, Laguna |
| Puerto Princesa CATV | 18 | Puerto Princesa |
| Prime Cable | 80 | |
| SkyCable | 95 | |
| Caceres Cable TV | 65 | Metro Naga |
| Converge Cable (formerly Naga Cable) | 114 | |
| SkyCable | 95 | |
| Filinvision Alto Cable | 42 | Roxas |
| Wesfardell Cable Service | 89 | |
| SkyCable | 14 | Metro Iloilo |
| Cable Star Inc. | 64 | |
| SkyCable | 14 | Metro Bacolod |
| New Bacolod Cable | 132 | |
| SkyCable | 37 | Metro Cebu |
| Cine Cebu Television Network | 99 | |
| SkyCable | 14 | Metro Dumaguete |
| Fil-Products Cable Company | 76 | |
| 62 | Tacloban | |
| Leyte Cable TV Network | 14 | |
| Fil-Products Cable Company | 81 | Calbayog |
| Calbayog Cable TV | 93 | |
| SkyCable | 37 | Zamboanga City |
| Mindanao Cable TV Network | 94 | |
| Sto. Niño Cable Network | 97 | General Santos |
| SkyCable | 37 | |
| JVL Star Cable | 97 | Polomolok |
| SkyCable | 14 | |
| Misamis Cable TV Network | 69 | Ozamiz |
| Fil-Products Cable Company | 90 | |
| SkyCable | 37 | Cagayan de Oro City |
| Parasat Cable TV | 18 | |
| Jade Cable TV | ||
| SkyCable | 37 | Cotabato |
| Cotabato Cable TV Network | 57 | |
| SkyCable | 14 | Tagum |
| Wise Cable | 74 | |
| SkyCable | 14 and 46 | Davao Central |
| Davao Cableworld Network | 97 | |
| Beautiful Cable TV Network | 87 | Medina |
| Z-Energy CATV | 83 | |
| 08 | Alegria | |
| 78 | Placer | |
| 69 | Salay | |
| 67 | Tagoloan | |
| 49 | Butuan | |
| Fil-Prouducts Cable Company | 97 | |
| Cignal | 186 | Nationwide |
| GSat Direct TV | 40 |
*And 500 Cable TV Operators in the Philippines.
Sonshine radio stations
| Type | Broadcast AM Radio Network |
|---|---|
| Branding | Sonshine Radio |
| Country | Philippines |
| Availability | Nationwide |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Parent | Swara Sug Media Corporation |
Key people | Admar R. Vilando (Station Manager) |
| Branding | Callsign | Frequency | Power (kW) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonshine Radio Davao | DXRD | 711 kHz | 10 kW | Davao |
| Sonshine Radio Manila | DZAR | 1026 kHz | 50 kW | Metro Manila |
| Sonshine Radio Dagupan | DZRD | 981 kHz | 10 kW | Dagupan |
| Sonshine Radio Tuguegarao | DZYT | 765 kHz | 5 kW | Tuguegarao |
| Sonshine Radio Santiago | DWSI | 864 kHz | 5 kW | Santiago |
| Sonshine Radio Cabanatuan | DWAY | 1332 kHz | 5 kW | Cabanatuan |
| Sonshine Radio Cebu | DYAR | 765 kHz | 5 kW | Cebu |
| Sonshine Radio Cagayan de Oro | DXCL | 1098 kHz | 10 kW | Cagayan de Oro |
Criticism and alleged bias
Media institutions and sectoral rights groups have accused SMNI of spreading misinformation and fake news while at the same time attacking critics of the Duterte administration and several media outlets in the form of "red-tagging".[11] The right-wing bias is also on Net 25, owned by Iglesia ni Cristo's affiliate Eagle Broadcasting Corporation which similar to SMNI.[12]
See also
- Kingdom Of Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name
- Kingdom Radio
- KJC King Dome
- Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy
- Pinas The Filipino's Global Newspaper
- SMNI News Channel
- Sonshine Sports Management
- Sonshine Radio
- Newsmax
- Rebel News
- Light TV
- UNTV
- Net 25
- INC TV
- Hope Channel Philippines
- TV Maria
- Life TV Asia
- GB News
- One America News Network
References
- . Sun.Star Davao. December 27, 2003. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
- . Archived from the original on October 30, 2005. Retrieved November 11, 2005.
- ^ "About Sonshine Media Network International". smni.com. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ "R.A. No. 8122: An Act Granting the Swara Sug Media Corp. Of the Philippines a Franchise to Construct, Install, Operate and Maintain for Commercial Purposes Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations in the Philippines and for Other Purposes". July 16, 1995.
- ^ "About Sonshine Media Network International". smni.com. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ "About Sonshine Media Network International". smni.com. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ "About Sonshine Media Network International". smni.com. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ . kingdomofjesuschrist.org (Wayback Machine). Archived from the original on February 3, 2005. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
- ^ SMNI Launch. Mark Michael Salin YouTube Channel. March 19, 2008. Retrieved March 19, 2008.
- ^ "Prangkisa ng Swara Sug Media Corporation pinalawig pa ng 25 taon". Pinas: The Filipino's Global Newspaper. September 9, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ^ "Republic Act No. 11422".
- ^ News5 (January 26, 2022). "BROADCAST FREQUENCIES: Journalists' group questions granting of ABS-CBN's former frequencies to Duterte allies". News5.com.ph.
- ^ "Quiboloy's SMNI fuels disinformation, online attacks on gov't critics". Rappler. February 6, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ "Journalists, social media personalities slam 'trash' news reporting of Net25". lionheartv.net. May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
External links
- Official website