Solar News Channel

{{short description|Defunct Television network in the Philippines}}

{{Infobox broadcasting network

| network_name = Solar News Channel

| network_logo = Solar News Channel Logo 2012.svg

| network_type = Broadcast commercial television network

| available = Defunct

| broadcast_area = Nationwide

| key_people = Wilson Tieng (Chairman, Radio Philippines Network, Solar Television Network)
William Tieng (President, Solar Television Network)
Jing Magsaysay (Senior Vice President for News and Current Affairs head)
Robert T. Rivera (President and CEO, Radio Philippines Network)

| launch_date = October 30, 2012

| dissolved = August 22, 2014

| owner = Solar Entertainment Corporation
(Solar Television Network)

| servicename1 = Sister channels

| service1 = ETC, 2nd Avenue, Jack City

| past_names =

| replaced_by = ETC (UHF Channel 21 space)
9TV (VHF Channel 9 space)

| Picture format = NTSC 480i (SDTV)

| language = English (main)
Filipino, Cebuano, Kapampangan (secondary)

| affiliations = Southern Broadcasting Network (2012–13) (50%)
Radio Philippines Network (2013–14) (34%)

| website = [http://www.solarnews.ph Solar News]

}}

Solar News Channel (SNC) was a major commercial television network in the Philippines, owned by Solar Entertainment Corporation's arm television subsidiary of Solar Television Network lease with its owner by Radio Philippines Network. Its flagship television station was DZKB-TV channel 9 in Mega Manila and other regional stations in the Philippines. The station was operational 18 hours a day from 6:00 AM to midnight on free TV, while being available 24 hours on cable, satellite and internet TV providers.

Most of its live programming from studios were located at Upper Ground Floor of the Worldwide Corporate Center, Shaw Boulevard corner Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Mandaluyong with transmitter at No. 97, Panay Avenue, Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City. The channel ceased broadcasting on August 22, 2014, and was replaced by 9TV.[http://www.solarnews.ph/lifestyle/2014/08/13/solar-news-channel-turns-into-9tv - Solar News Channel turns into 9TV] retrieved August 14, 2014

History

File:FvfOmbudsman0222 37.JPG van used by Solar News parked at the Office of the Ombudsman.]]

The network debuted on October 30, 2012, at 5:45 AM (UTC +8:00), as a replacement for then all-news channel Talk TV on SBN 21—as such it is broadcast by all television service provider and terrestrial stations which formerly carried Talk TV.

It is the first all-English news channel to be aired on free TV in the Philippines, and the first channel of Solar Entertainment to air both on cable and free TV. Major part of the programming are local programs including news and current affairs programs from Solar News and foreign programs from NBC and CBS.

On November 30, 2013, Solar News Channel transferred to all RPN stations nationwide to widen its telecast while ETC returned to all SBN stations.{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151679594302644 |author=Solar News Channel |title=Expect wider reach and a richer viewing experience |access-date=November 5, 2013 |date=November 5, 2013 |work=Facebook |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131105/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151679594302644 |archive-date=November 5, 2013}}{{cite news |url=http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/12/02/solar-news-on-free-tv-moves-to-channel-9-/ |title=Solar News on free TV moves to channel 9 |first=Lailany P. |last=Gomez |date=December 2, 2013 |access-date=January 2, 2019 |newspaper=Manila Standard Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808055254/http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/12/02/solar-news-on-free-tv-moves-to-channel-9-/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |publisher=LEENTech Digital Media Solutions}}{{cite web |url=http://etc.com.ph/etconsbn/ |title=ETC MOVES TO SBN-21 STARTING NOVEMBER 30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501031533/http://etc.com.ph/etconsbn/ |archive-date=May 1, 2014 |work=ETC |date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=January 2, 2019}}

Aside from the transfer, Solar News Channel launched its own mobile application for smartphone users. Its consists of features such as live streaming, catch-up episodes and latest news from the network's website, solarnews.ph.{{cite news |url=http://www.solarnews.ph/lifestyle/technology/2013/11/29/solar-news-app-news-you-can-use-on-the-move |title=Solar News app: News you can use on the move |date=November 29, 2013 |access-date=January 2, 2019 |work=Solar News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001345/http://www.solarnews.ph/lifestyle/technology/2013/11/29/solar-news-app-news-you-can-use-on-the-move |archive-date=December 3, 2013}}

On August 13, 2014, Solar Television Network announced that Solar News Channel was to be replaced with 9TV by August 23, retaining the news and current affairs programming while expanding its weekend programming to cater more audiences which was started by the launching of "Kids Weekend" on August 23.{{cite news |url=http://www.solarnews.ph/lifestyle/2014/08/13/solar-news-channel-turns-into-9tv |title=Solar News Channel turns into 9TV |access-date=August 14, 2014 |date=August 13, 2014 |work=Solar News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813201208/http://www.solarnews.ph/lifestyle/2014/08/13/solar-news-channel-turns-into-9tv |archive-date=August 13, 2014}}

Programming

Solar News Channel's programming consists of rolling news coverage and other news programming, along with documentaries, current affairs show, talk show, entertainment, sports news. Most of the foreign programs on this news channel are from American TV networks such as NBC and CBS, with programs dedicated for infomercials, religious, pre-school, and children's programs.