First United Broadcasting Corporation

First United Broadcasting Corporation, which operates under the brand GNN or Global News Network, is a broadcast radio and television network in the Philippines. Its original station FUBC TV-9 in Zamboanga was an affiliate of BBC from 1974-1986, ABS-CBN in 1986-1994 and GMA Network from 1995 until April 1996. The broadcast company now operates on its latest congressional franchise, Republic Act No. 8079.o

History

First United Broadcasting Corporation was founded by Ma. Clara "Caling" L. Lobregat and Basilio "Bong" Apolinario II. It brought to Zamboanga City its first FM station and its first color television station in 1977. The television station, DWLA 9Alive, was characterized by 9 "lovely" ladies. This network has produced several media personalities such as Cathy Veloso Santillan (one of the original 9Alive Girls who became a broadcaster and NewsWatch anchor of RPN-9 in the early 1990s), Zamboanga City District II Congressman Erico Basilio "Erbie" Fabian and ABS-CBN Correspondent for Western Mindanao and former anchor Pal Marquez all began their careers as part of the channel's news division.

Later years

The network is on a massive expansion drive. In 1995, its original TV station, VHF channel 9 in Zamboanga city was sold to GMA. However it operates UHF 43 in Zamboanga. FUBC's FM station, DXLA-FM 99.5 MHz, and its AM station, DXRH-AM 1080 kHz have moved to Basilan/ARMM. However, its present goal seems to reinvent itself in the UHF spectrum nationwide rather than expand in the radio business.

First United Broadcasting Network has reinvented its image and now operates one of the Philippines' Direct-To-Home (DTH) Satellite Networks called G Sat and one of the Philippines' all news channel in cable and now in terrestrial networks called Global News Network (GNN).

TV Stations

Affiliations

• ABS-CBN
• GMA Network
• Voice of America
• Global News Network

See also

• List of television and radio stations in Zamboanga City