The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will shut down analog television broadcasts in Mega Manila on November 22, 2026, as it intensifies efforts to inform the public about the transition to digital television.
NTC Deputy Commissioner Alvin Blanco said television networks have been preparing information materials and public service announcements (PSAs) to raise awareness about the impending analog switch-off.
“We are looking at Nov. 22 as the analog switch-off date,” Blanco said, adding that the commission is continuing its public information campaign ahead of the deadline.
The initial phase will cover Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, and Bataan.
Memorandum Circular No. 005-11-2025, issued in November 2025 by the NTC, mandates that television stations in the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, and Bataan migrate to the Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) standard within 12 months of its effectivity.
As of December 2024, about 80 percent of TV households in Mega Manila already received digital TV broadcasts, according to a survey conducted by Kantar Media Philippines and commissioned by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The NTC is also coordinating with broadcasters to ensure that viewers are informed about the transition, particularly those who continue to rely on analog television for news and entertainment.
Under the digital terrestrial television system, viewers can access more programs through a single broadcast channel, compared with analog television, which generally carries one program per channel. Digital broadcasting also offers improved picture and sound quality and more reliable signal reception.
The technology can also support an emergency warning broadcast system, allowing authorities to disseminate alerts during disasters and other emergencies.
Blanco said the NTC would assess the readiness of other areas before setting schedules for their respective analog switch-offs. The agency plans to undertake similar public information campaigns and promote the adoption of digital television in succeeding areas.