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 |
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Area served | Nationwide |
Key people |
|
| Products |
|
| Services | |
| Owner | Kingdom of Jesus Christ (53.46%) Fabus Capital Holdings Inc. (46.2%) Jesus Christ Workers Members Cooperative (19%) Marlon Rosete (13%) |
| Parent | Kingdom of Jesus Christ |
| Website | www |
The logo of SMNI since 2010 | |
| Type | Terrestrial television network |
|---|---|
| Country | Philippines |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide Worldwide (satellite and online) |
| Headquarters |
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| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English Filipino |
| Picture format | 16:9 480i (SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Swara Sug Media Corporation |
| Key people |
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| Sister channels | SMNI News Channel |
| History | |
| Launched | 2000 |
| Founder | Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy |
| Former names |
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| 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 two digital terrestrial channels in Metro Manila and Metro Davao.[5]
History edit
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/Paghahanap ng Katotohanan) 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"), bringing the Gospel of the Kingdom from Davao City to key cities around the Philippines, which was carried by Sky Cable in Davao City, General Santos, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Tagum and Baguio.
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, using its own Satellite Uplink Broadcast Station located at Davao Central, 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 6, 2005, DWAQ-TV Channel 39 signed 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 officially signed on as the network's third TV station during the first Global Thanksgiving and Worship presentation at the Buenavista Barangay Hall in Santiago, Isabela. A few months later on May 10, 2009, The ACQ-KBN Sonshine TV-39 Butuan was also launched after the first global thanksgiving and Worship presentation at the Luciana Convention Center in Butuan.
In August 2010, a merger took place between ACQ-KBN and Sonshine TV, as the two programming blocks had been consolidated. As a result, the ACQ-KBN branding ceased to exist, and officially relaunched under the newly rebranded "SMNI". Coinciding with this, the network unveiled its new slogan "Alternative media, Alternative power, it Sustains Life" (first slogan) and "Informs, Delivers, Transforms" (second slogan), along with its new station ID.
In January 2011, SMNI adopted another new slogan, "Where Everything is Possible", also with its 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 on ABS-CBN TV Plus 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.
On February 19, 2023, SMNI DTT Channel 43 officially signed on during the first Global Thanksgiving and Worship presentation at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal. the network covered in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Channel 43 will be used as the main channel of SMNI on DTT, while retaining the use of Channel 39 as a secondary channel after transitioning from analog to digital signal.[11][12]
SMNI TV programs edit
Domestic stations edit
TV stations edit
TV nationwide (shut off by end-2023) edit
| 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 |
Digital terrestrial television edit
| Terrestrial | Callsign | Ch. # | Frequency | Power | Area of Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital | DWAQ-DTV | 39 (Digital Test Broadcast) | 623.143 MHz | 10 kW | Metro Manila |
| 43 (Digital Test Broadcast) | 647.143 MHz | ||||
| 44 (Digital Test Broadcast) | 653.143 MHz | 5.5 kW | |||
| Digital | DXAQ-TV | 19 (Digital Test Broadcast) | 503.143 MHz | 5 kW | Davao |
SMNI TV on pay television edit
| Cable Provider | Ch. # | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Cablelink | 95 | Metro Manila |
| Destiny Cable | 162 on Digital | |
| Sky Cable | 162 on Digital | Metro Manila Batangas Bulacan |
| 59 | Metro Baguio | |
| Mountainview Satellite Corporation | 90 | |
| Prime Cable Network | 39 | Sagada |
| Sky Cable | 10 | Metro Laoag |
| Sunshine CATV | 73 | |
| Vigan Satellite Cable TV | 73 | Vigan |
| Eaglevision Cable | 64 | |
| Pangasinan Educational Cable TV | 35 | Alaminos |
| USATV | 58 | Dagupan |
| Sky Cable | 95 | |
| Genmar Cable Communications | 44 | Rosales |
| Eaglevision Cable | 64 | Binalonan |
| RBC Cable Master System | 90 | Tuguegarao |
| Clearview Cable TV System | 78 | |
| Regal Cable TV Network | 52 | Santiago |
| New City Cable System | 84 | |
| Cablelink | 95 | Santa Maria |
| Angeles City Cable Television Network | 84 | Angeles, Pampanga |
| Multi-Network Cable Company | 50 | Cabanatuan |
| Prime Cable Network | 66 | |
| Muñoz Satellite TV System, Inc. | 97 | Muñoz |
| Home Choice Cable TV | 90 | |
| Eaglevision Cable | 64 | Moncada |
| Sky Cable | 162 | Cavite City |
| Suburban Cable Network | 105 | |
| Cablelink | 95 | Bacoor |
| Dasca Cable | 113 | Dasmariñas |
| Community Cable TV | 78 | Los Baños |
| Royal Cable | 35 | Santa Rosa |
| Sky Cable | 162 | |
| Puerto Princesa CATV | 18 | Puerto Princesa |
| Prime Cable Network | 80 | |
| Charles Cable TV System | 11 | Cataingan |
| Prime Cable Network | 76 | |
| Charles Cable TV System | 13 | Masbate |
| Masbate Cable, Inc. | 90 | |
| Prime Cable Network | 54 | Daraga, Albay |
| DCTV Cable Network | 114 | |
| Legazpi | ||
| ESTV Cable Network | 87 | |
| Caceres Cable TV | 65 | Metro Naga |
| DCTV Cable Network | 114 | |
| Sorsogon | ||
| HLTV Cable Network | 108 | |
| Aklan Cable TV Network | 45 | Kalibo |
| Kalibo Cable TV Network | 100 | |
| Filinvision Alto Cable | 42 | Roxas |
| Wesfardell Cable Service | 89 | |
| Sky Cable | 50 | Metro Iloilo |
| Cable Star Inc. | 64 | |
| Sky Cable | 51 | Metro Bacolod |
| New Bacolod Cable | 132 | |
| Sky Cable Cebu | 37 | Metro Cebu |
| Misamis Cable TV Network | 76 | |
| Cine Cebu Television Network | 99 | Lapu-Lapu |
| Sky Cable | 64 | Metro Dumaguete |
| Fil-Products Cable Company | 76 | |
| 62 | Tacloban | |
| Leyte Cable TV Network | 14 | |
| Fil-Products Cable Company | 81 | Calbayog |
| Sky Cable Zamboanga | 49 | Zamboanga City |
| Prime Cable Network | 37 | Sindangan |
| Misamis Cable TV Network | 69 | Ozamiz |
| Fil-Products Cable Company | 90 | |
| Parasat Cable TV | 18 | Cagayan de Oro |
| Jade Cable TV | 37 | |
| Sky Cable | 51 | Cotabato |
| Cotabato Cable TV Network | 57 | |
| Sky Cable | 37 | General Santos |
| Santo Niño Cable TV System | 97 | |
| Sky Cable | 29 | Polomolok |
| JVL Star Cable | 97 | |
| Rapnic Cable TV System | 47 | Pantukan |
| Sky Cable | 14 | Tagum |
| 14 and 46 | Davao Central | |
| Davao Cableworld Network | 97 | |
| Fil Products Cable Company | 97 | Butuan |
| Z-Energy CATV | 49 | |
| Buenavista | ||
| Kitcharao | ||
| 83 | Medina | |
| 08 | Alegria | |
| 78 | Placer | |
| 69 | Salay | |
| Talisayan | ||
| Cignal | 186 | Nationwide |
| GSat Direct TV | 40 |
*And 500 Cable TV Operators in the Philippines.
Radio stations edit
| 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 | 10 kW | Cebu |
| Sonshine Radio Cagayan de Oro | DXCL | 1098 kHz | 10 kW | Cagayan de Oro |
Partnership with CGTN edit
Controversies edit
Alleged bias and far-right content edit
SMNI has been a subject of many criticisms and allegations from independent media watchdogs, particularly on misinformation, false accusation, and right-wing[15][16] bias while maintaining its editorial control.[17][18] 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".[19]
Termination of YouTube channel edit
On July 7, 2023, YouTube terminated the channels of SMNI and one of its programs, Laban Kasama ang Bayan (transl. Fight with the People), along with KJC, following a previous ban on Quiboloy's YouTube channel which was terminated on June 21. Google later stated that their actions were in compliance with existing sanctions by the United States against Quiboloy pursuant to the US Global Magnitsky Act and harmful misinformation regarding red-tagging; Quiboloy was previously indicted by the United States Department of Justice on charges of human trafficking and child sexual abuse.[20][21]
Quiboloy and SMNI later created accounts on the alt-tech video service Rumble[22] as well as an alternate account for SMNI on YouTube in defiance of sanctions.[23] The alternate account was suspended by YouTube a few days later.[24] On September 15, 2023, the SMNI News Facebook page was deleted, in accordance to Meta's Dangerous Organizations and Individuals Policy.[25]
House franchise probe edit
On November 28, 2023, the Philippine House Committee on Legislative Franchises launched a probe investigation on SMNI, following a report claimed by Laban Kasama ang Bayan co-host Jeffrey Celiz about travel expenses allocated to House Speaker Martin Romualdez where he spent PH₱1.8 billion. Quezon 2nd District Representative David Suarez called the report as "fake news".[26] The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) also flagged SMNI, Celiz and fellow co-host Lorraine Badoy for violating KBP's Code of Ethics even they were unaccredited broadcasters.[27][28]
SMNI has been recently facing legal scrutiny following the House probe investigation, including the revocation of its Congressional franchise. PBA Partylist Representative Margarita Nograles filed a resolution urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to suspend the broadcast operations of SMNI for violating the broadcaster's franchise.[29][30]
See also edit
References edit
- . 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.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ SMNI Channel 43 now Signing on!. Apollo Quiboloy YouTube Channel. February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ "Signing-on ng SMNI Digital Channel 43 Mega Manila, pinangunahan ni Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy". smninewschannel.com. February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- ^ "Asylum On The Agenda? Execs Of Quiboloy's SMNI Meet With Chinese State-Run Media Officials". Politiko. July 19, 2023.
- ^ "Digong pumadrino kay Quiboloy sa China". Abante (in Tagalog). July 19, 2023.
- ^ "Philippines". Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
- ^ Chi, Cristina. "Digital News Report: Filipinos more 'cautious' of expressing political views". Retrieved 2023-07-03.
- ^ De Leon, Dwight (October 11, 2021). "Quiboloy's news group repeatedly red-baits Makabayan bloc during COC filing". Rappler. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
- ^ Zablan, Clarist (February 7, 2022). "Quiboloy's SMNI fuels disinformation, attacks to journalists and activists – report". News5. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ "Quiboloy's SMNI fuels disinformation, online attacks on gov't critics". Rappler. February 6, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ Ombay, Giselle (2023-06-22). "YouTube takedown nothing new, says Quiboloy". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
- ^ Gonzales, Gelo (July 7, 2023). "YouTube terminates SMNI News, KOJC channels in 'compliance with US sanctions laws'". Rappler. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
- ^ Mateo, Janvic. "YouTube removes other channels affiliated with Quiboloy". Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ Cua, Aric John Sy (2023-07-08). "SMNI News channel back on YouTube". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ Cua, Aric John Sy (2023-07-11). "Up again, down again: YouTube drops SMNI news for second time". Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ Baizas, Gaby (2023-09-15). "SMNI News Facebook page disappears". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
- ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (28 November 2023). "House to probe SMNI on claim Romualdez spent P1.8B on trips". Inquirer.net. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ Chi, Cristina (1 December 2023). "SMNI flagged for allowing non-KBP accredited broadcasters to go on air". Philstar.com. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Gulla, Vivienne (8 December 2023). "Mga kinulong na SMNI hosts planong iapela ang contempt order". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ Tolentino, Reina (5 December 2023). "Lawmaker seeks suspension of SMNI television network". The Manila Times. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Archangel, Xianne (4 December 2023). "NTC urged to suspend SMNI's operations for alleged franchise violations". CNN Philippines. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
External links edit
- Official website