The Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS), also known in the Philippines as the Bureau of Broadcast Services (BBS), is a state-run radio broadcast network owned by the Government of the Philippines. The broadcaster operates four nationwide channels, an international station, and a network of local radio channels, with a total of 28 at the latest count.
Media assets
Radio: National- RP FM 1, RP FM 2, RP1 Metro Manila, RP2 Metro Manila; International- RP Worldwide; Local- DZAG Agoo, DWJS Albay, DZEQ Baguio, DWBT Batanes, DWFR Bontoc, DZMQ Dagupan, DWFB Laoag, DWLC Lucena, DWRB Naga, DWRM Palawan, DZRK Tabuk, DWRS Tayug, DWPE Tuguegarao, DWDF Virac, DYES Borongan, DYOG Calbayog, DYMR Cebu, DYLL Iloilo, DYSL Sogod, DXBN Butuan, DXIM Cagayan de Oro, DXRP Davao, DXRG Gingoog, DXSM Jolo, DXSO Marawi, DXJS Tandag, DXAS Tawi-tawi, DXMR Zamboanga
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
PBS is under the ownership of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), which serves as the presidential administration for the country. The President of the Philippines appoints the management of the station, according to data from PBS corporate documents.
Source of funding and budget
PBS receives the majority of its funding from the government, with financing sourced from the General Appropriations Act, which represents the country’s state budget. Similarly, PBS generates revenue by selling its airtime to third parties and through advertising sales, as does its sister broadcaster, PTV. The precise proportion of government funding is not publicly disclosed.
However, according to local journalists and industry experts, it represents over 50% of the company’s annual budget, which in 2022 amounted to PHP 456m (US$ 8.9m). In 2023, the Philippine government allocated PHP 466m (equivalent to US$ 8.2m) to the PBS, as reported by the government.
In 2025, the Philippine government is scheduled to allocate a state budget of PHP 492m (equivalent to US$ 9.8m) to PBS, according to information reported in the media.
Editorial independence
The editorial policy of PBS is subject to close monitoring and supervision by the presidential administration.
The most recent research conducted for this report has not identified any legislation that establishes the independence of PBS. Conversely, the broadcaster presents itself as a government institution.
September 2024