Mega Manila says goodbye to analog TV this November

The NTC ordered TV stations to complete their shift to digital broadcasting.

Millions of television viewers in Mega Manila may soon have to upgrade their setups as analog TV broadcasts are set to shut down on Nov. 22.

The National Telecommunications Commission, through Memorandum Circular No. 005-11-2025, ordered television stations in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, and Bataan to complete their migration to the Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial standard within 12 months.

Households that still rely on analog television sets without digital receivers may lose access to free-to-air broadcasts. To continue watching channels, viewers may need digital-ready television sets or set-top boxes that can receive digital signals.

Data from the Department of Information and Communications Technology showed that around 80% of Mega Manila TV households had already shifted to digital broadcasts as of December 2024. However, authorities have yet to determine exactly how many families still depend solely on analog television.

Government agencies are discussing assistance measures for affected viewers, including information campaigns to help households determine whether they need digital receivers or compatible television sets.

GMA Network, one of the country’s major broadcasters, said it has already prepared for the transition, with its digital infrastructure capable of covering Mega Manila once its analog transmitters are switched off.

The network said the shutdown will only affect its analog signals, adding that its digital broadcast coverage now matches, and in many areas exceeds, its previous analog reach.

The analog switch-off forms part of the country’s broader transition to digital broadcasting, which aims to improve picture quality, spectrum efficiency, and broadcast services.

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